Polygamous man had 8 wives and 150 grandchildren

99-year-old Mzee Lekanaiyia Ole Parselu shaped governor Ole Lenku's education. [PETERSON GITHAIGA/STANDARD)

He was famed for raising 61 children and even educated Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku.

Lekanaiya ole Parselu, who died last week aged 99, had eight wives, 150 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren. He also had four great-great grandchildren. His firstborn is 70 years.

Of the 59 children, nine were his late brother's, who Lekanaiya adopted after his brother died.

Lekanaiya was known all over the village. Those who knew him spoke of his love for education.

Born in 1922, Lekanaiya married his wives over a period of 35 years.

And all his children went to school even though he never had that opportunity. At least five are teachers, four are in the military and two are working in the US.

John Lekanaiya, who is a teacher, said his father also loved the environment and was involved in conservation.

"He also believed in the leadership of women something some members of the Maasai community opposed and still oppose even today," he said.

John described his father as a caring person. "Besides raising the 52 of us, he also took care of his late brother's nine children. He paid school fees for so many children, some of who ended up taking top leadership positions in this country, including the Kajiado governor," John said.

Leading farmer 

“On the economic front, my father reared close to 4,000 cows and thousands of sheep and goats. This made him the leading livestock farmer in his Ilatayiok clan as well as among members of his age-set of Ilnyangusi. This made him famous across the Maasai land."

Lenku who addressed mourners during Lekanaiya's burial ceremony at his Nkama Farm in Oloitokitok referred to him as a mentor.

"I will always remember you for shaping my education and for your selfless service to humanity. Without your help, I would probably have ended up a herdsboy, just like everybody else in our village," Lenku said. 

99-year-old Mzee Lekanaiyia Ole Parselu. [PETERSON GITHAIGA/STANDARD)

Lenku first encountered Lekanaiya's generosity in 1982. The then 12-year-old Lenku was a pupil at lbissil Primary School. Some boys at the school engineered a strike that led to a serious clash between teachers and pupils. This led to expulsion of some of the pupils from some villages, especially from the Kankere clan.

“I was among those who had to leave Ilbissil. When I arrived home in Lenkisim, I found my father with Lekanayia. After I told them my story concerning what had happened at school, Mzee Lekanayia offered to go with me to his home in Nkama. He said he would house me and ensure I attended school. He took me to Nkama Primary School,” says Lenku.

Slaughtered goat

Lenku said Lekanaiya put him under the care of his fifth wife Sintiyio who is still alive. “They treated me well and I became part of the family. In fact in Nkama, everyone knew me as Lekanaiya's child,” said Lenku.

"Without his help, maybe I would not have gone back to school. Many of those who left Ilbissil Primary the time I left are herdsmen to date,” said Lenku.

And when Lenku left the Ministry of Interior in 2015 under not-so-good circumstances, Lekanayia was there to encourage him.

“He slaughtered a goat for me to encourage me to move on. He said another door would open for me,” said Lenku.

In 1952, Lekanaiya worked as a peacekeeper alongside former Cabinet Minister the late Stanley Oloitiptip. They helped to stop Maasai morans invasion of the Kikuyu in Nyeri during the Mau Mau uprising.

He also worked as a lands officer.

In 1945, the late Lekanaiya was selected to head of Emanyatta Olmurran during the Second World War.

He was later appointed a Maasai traditional chief but later resigned from the position.

Lekanaiya developed heart complications before his demise.