Maa Rights Defender Joseph Ole Sankei Tasur Passes On at 82
By Festus Ronoh |
Joseph Ole Sankei Tasur, a revered elder and retired senior chief from Kilgoris in Narok County, has passed on at the age of 82.
A distinguished figure in the Maa community, Ole Sankei was widely known for his unwavering commitment to his family, culture, and community.
A proud father of 45 children and grandfather to 185, Ole Sankei’s devotion to family life was deeply admired and celebrated among the Maasai people. He was married to four wives, through whom he raised a legacy that spans generations.
Among his children are notable personalities such as Joel Ole Tasur, a seasoned politician, and Emmanuel Leina Tasur, an esteemed scholar and proprietor of Sirua Aulo Schools.
Ole Sankei was a staunch defender of Maasai culture and traditions. He firmly stood for the preservation of community values and land, often acting as a custodian against external interference. In the 1980s, he notably championed the protection of communal land in Kimintet, which had been gifted to the then-President Daniel Arap Moi by the local community.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a cultural defender, community leader, and family man will live on through the many lives he touched.
