Laibon Lenana of the Masai

Lenana ascertained the Laibonship of the Masai society with the assistance of the British against his brother Sendeyo. Their father the Mbatian, son of Supeet, chief of the Masai died in 1890 and there was a succession dispute between the two sons.

Sendeyo carried frequent military raids in Lenana's territory.  Famine and disease claimed many of his people in addition to the slave raiders.

Lenana thought his enemies would completely destroy his group and therefore, he went to the British in Machakos to ask for military help.

Lenana's request was greatly welcomed by the British who wanted to co-operate with the Masai so that they could not be disturbed during the construction of the railway. Masai therefore did not disturb the British development programmes and they even co-operated to fight the uncooperative Nandis.

In recognition for the job well done, the British gave Lenana the title of the paramount chief of the Masai. With the co-operation of the Lenana, in 1904, the British governor Charles Eliot made schemes to give Masai land to white settlers.

Lenana agreed to such schemes and in 1908 the first agreement was signed between the Masai's Lenana and the British. The Masai were to move to two reserves, one south of Ngong hills and the other in the Laikipia plateau.

In 1911 when Lenana was very sick, worn out and nearing death, he signed off another treaty selling off Masai interest, independence and sovereignty to the British. By 1913, the Masai had vacated Laikipia plateau to Ngong and British colonialism firmly entrenched in Kenya.

The Response of Lenana the Masai Laibon

The Lenana was the Laibon of the Masai.

He was the son of Mbatian the laibon of the Purko Masai.

In 1890 after the death of Mbatian there was a succession dispute between the Lenana and Sendeyo.   

Sendeyo moved with his people to a place called Loitain Northern Tanzania.

Lenana remained in southern Kenya with his people in the area near Ngugi and Naivasha.

In 1894 Lenana collaborated with the British and this was so because he was frequently attacked by his brother Sendeyo.

Lenana told the British at Fort Smith [Nairobi] to protect him.

Lenana signed an agreement with the British in 1904.

The British then recognised him as the paramount chief of the Masai.   

Later the British forced the Masai to Laikipia when the railway line passed   in their area.

Lenana used his people the Masai to suppress the Nandi resistance together with the British soldiers.

Lenana also gave land to the British settlers in Kenya.

The Masai under Lenana offered cheap labour to the British farmers.

In 1911 the British signed another agreement, which forced the Masai to Ngong reserve, after the  

British had demanded for more land.

Lenana used the British troops and scared his brother Sendeyo who threatened the Purko Masai.

Lenana with his people joined the British to defeat the Kikuyu.

However the relationship between the Masai and the British became bitter due to land grabbing.

Why Lenana of the Maasai asked for British Protection

Lenana wanted the British to protect his independence. His brother sendeyo threatened  to overthrow him. Lenana was constantly attacked by the Kikuyu.   

Lenana was faced by a number of natural calamities like diseases. There were civil wars among the Masai due to grazing land.

The death of Mbatian left the Masai as divided people and a weak people. This forced Lenana to ask for help from Britain.

Lenana expected to get jobs for his people from the British rulers, Lenana and the Masai were militarily weak people, they could not defeat  Britain.

The fear of the British advances from Fort Smith (Nairobi) forced Lenana to desperately collaborate with Britain.

He wanted the British to help him to protect his cattle.

Lenana was economically poor and could not fight the British.

Lenana was surrounded by hostile neighbours e.g. Kikuyu and Nandi.    

He feared the consequences of war with the British rulers.