Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta Biography: Early Life, Education, Career, Age and Achievements

Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta Biography

Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta is a well-known Kenyan politician and lawyer. He comes from the Maasai community and has spent many years fighting for their rights. People often call him a strong defender of the Maasai, or “Maa hero.” He speaks out clearly on issues like land ownership and protecting natural resources.

In January 2026, he took on a big new role. On January 22, 2026, the Jubilee Party named him as its Secretary General. This replaced Jeremiah Kioni. The party chose him because of his long experience in politics, law, and leadership. He knows how to organize and guide people. This role gives him power to help the party grow stronger before the 2027 elections.

Before this, Ole Kenta served as Member of Parliament for Narok North from 2013 to 2022. He won elections twice. First, he joined on a TNA ticket, linked to Jubilee. Later, he moved to ODM. In parliament, he worked on committees about the environment and how to put the constitution into action. He also led the Committee on Implementation from 2017 to 2022.

Many people respect him for being honest and brave. He does not change his mind easily when it comes to protecting his community. Some see him as tough or quick to argue, but most agree he cares deeply about fairness. His work has touched on big topics in Kenya, such as land disputes in the Mau Forest and helping people who lose homes or crops because of wild animals.

Today, Ole Kenta remains active in politics. He plans to run for Narok County Governor in 2027. His story shows how hard work and education can take someone from a small rural area to a national leader. This article looks at his life, work, and impact in simple terms.

Early Life and Education

Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta was born on March 12, 1962, in the Narok area of Kenya. He grew up in a typical Maasai family with modest means. Life in rural Narok was simple, focused on herding cattle and living close to nature. From a young age, he learned the values of his community, such as respect for land and unity.

His education started at Eor Enkitok Primary School. He attended from 1969 to 1975 and earned his Certificate in Primary Education. After primary school, he went to Kilgoris Secondary School. There, he studied hard and completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 1983.

Next, he moved to Kijabe High School for A-levels, known as the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education. He finished this in 1985. These early steps showed his drive to learn and move forward.

In 1987, Ole Kenta joined the University of Nairobi. He studied law and earned his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1990. This was a big achievement for someone from a rural background. After that, he went to the Kenya School of Law from 1990 to 1991. He completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Law. In 1991, he qualified as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. This meant he could now practice law professionally.

His education gave him tools to help others. He used his legal knowledge to fight for justice, especially for indigenous groups like the Maasai and Ogiek. School opened doors that many in his area never saw. It built his confidence to speak up in big settings, like parliament later on.

Career

Ole Kenta’s career began in law. In 1991, he worked as an advocate at K. Mwaura & Co. Advocates for one year. Then, in 1992, he started his own firm called Kenta Moitalel & Co. Advocates. He has run it as the sole owner ever since. Through this firm, he handled many cases. One key area was defending land rights for the Maasai and Ogiek people against unfair evictions in the Mau Forest.

Before entering politics, he held other important roles. From 1995 to 2001, he served on the Hotels and Restaurants Tribunal, first as a member and later as chairman. He was a director at the Geothermal Development Company starting in 2009. From 2009 to 2012, he chaired the board of Kenya Wine Agencies Limited. He also joined boards like Narok Teachers College in 2003 and Kijabe High School Board of Governors in 2000. These positions showed his skill in management and public service.

In 2013, he entered politics full-time. He won the seat as Member of Parliament for Narok North on a TNA ticket. TNA was part of the Jubilee Alliance. He served from 2013 to 2017, then won again from 2017 to 2022. During this time, he switched to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in 2017.

As MP, he sat on key committees. From 2013 to 2017, he was a member of the Departmental Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. He also served on the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee. From 2017 to 2022, he chaired the Committee on Implementation. In these roles, he helped oversee laws and projects that affected the environment and community development.

He managed the National Government Constituency Development Fund well. Reports ranked him 49th out of 290 MPs for efficient use of funds. He focused on real needs in Narok North, like schools, water, and roads.

In 2022, he ran for Narok County Governor under ODM. He lost to Patrick ole Ntutu. He filed a court case but withdrew it in November 2022 after talks with Maasai elders and leaders.

On January 22, 2026, Jubilee Party appointed him Secretary General. This came after a leadership change. The party praised his experience in politics, law, and good governance. He now helps lead Jubilee as it prepares for future elections.

Achievements

Ole Kenta has many achievements in his career. As a lawyer, he led important cases to protect Maasai land. He fought against invalid titles in group ranches that extended into the Mau Forest. In one petition, he wrote that keeping such titles would go against justice. His work helped highlight the need to protect the forest as a water source.

In parliament, he pushed for better lives in Narok North. He supported school renovations and new buildings, such as at Ole Nkasurai Primary School. He worked on clean water projects in places like Muthurwa Market and Narok bus park. He made sure bursaries reached students fairly across all six wards, without favoring any group.

He spoke strongly on human-wildlife conflict. Many farmers lose crops or animals to wildlife. He called for fair compensation. He also improved roads and other infrastructure in his area.

His defense of the Mau Forest stood out. He opposed evictions that ignored community rights. He argued for balance between conservation and people’s needs. This earned him respect as a leader who cares about both nature and people.

In 2022, even after losing the governor race, he showed maturity by accepting the elders’ advice and dropping the court case. This kept peace in the community.

His Jubilee appointment in 2026 is a fresh achievement. It places him at the top of a major party. The party noted his strong stand against corruption and his work for the Mau ecosystem. Supporters say this role fits his skills in mobilizing people and leading with clear ideas.

Overall, his achievements show commitment to service. He has improved education, water, and land rights for many in Narok.

Personal Life

Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta keeps his personal life private. He is married. His wife is the daughter of John Kamwaro. They have two children. One son works as a senior park warden in the Maasai Mara. This job connects to conservation, an area his father cares about deeply.

Ole Kenta lives in Narok County. Before politics, he owned a hotel in Narok and land in the Ilariak area. These helped his family and business. His net worth is not public, but it comes from his law firm, properties, and other work.

People know him as sincere and dedicated to the Maasai community. He often speaks from the heart on issues that affect his people. While some describe him as firm or direct in debates, most praise his honesty. He values family and community traditions.

Conclusion

Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta has built a strong path in Kenyan public life. From a rural Maasai background, he used education to become a lawyer and then a leader. His work as MP improved lives in Narok North through better schools, water, and fairness. He stood firm on land rights and conservation, earning the name “Maa hero.”

His 2026 role as Jubilee Secretary General opens new doors. It shows trust in his experience and principles. Looking ahead to 2027, he may run for governor again. His story teaches that hard work, honesty, and care for community can lead to lasting impact. Ole Kenta remains a key voice for indigenous rights and good governance in Kenya.

FAQs

Who is Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta?

He is a Kenyan politician, lawyer, and former MP for Narok North. He now serves as Jubilee Party Secretary General since January 22, 2026.

When was Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta born?

He was born on March 12, 1962.

What is Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta’s current position?

He is the Secretary General of the Jubilee Party, appointed on January 22, 2026.

What party did Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta belong to as MP?

He started with TNA in 2013 and joined ODM in 2017.

Did Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta run for governor?

Yes, he ran for Narok County Governor in 2022 on an ODM ticket but lost to Patrick ole Ntutu.

What is Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta known for?

He is known for defending Maasai land rights, protecting the Mau Forest, and advocating for community development and fair compensation in human-wildlife conflicts.

Where did Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta go to university?

He earned his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi between 1987 and 1990.

Does Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta plan to run in 2027?

Yes, he has shown interest in running for Narok County Governor in the 2027 elections.

What makes Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta a “Maa hero”?

Supporters call him this because of his strong, honest fight for Maasai community interests, especially on land and resources.

How did Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta become Jubilee Secretary General?

The Jubilee Party’s National Executive Committee appointed him on January 22, 2026, citing his experience in politics, law, and principled leadership.