Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian has disclosed that she called off her engagement and returned dowry after her family elders conducted a thorough background check on her fiancé, as required by Samburu cultural traditions.
Lemaletian, who had announced her engagement in October 2024 during a colourful traditional ceremony, had at the time shared her excitement on social media.
She described her partner, identified as Dr. Hussein M.L, as “a fine top brain” and celebrated what she then believed was the beginning of a lifelong union.
In her original celebratory post, she wrote:
“It’s a resounding YES from the elders of the Clan of cows that lick fire (Quaro) to the Son of the Lake Drinkers (Sarima)… I am officially traditionally engaged to a fine top brain, Dr. Hussein M.L, the gentleman who is after my heart and is apparently sitting inside it eating popcorn while swinging on a grandpa rocking chair.”
She added:
“Men are many but this one is made from a different fabric and that fabric doesn’t exist anymore. We, HML & HML unite the two largest clans of the Northern Maas because love is the greatest of all commandments.”
However, in a statement issued on May 16, 2025, the senator revealed that the engagement had been canceled earlier in the year after the elders of her family carried out a detailed background check, which raised undisclosed concerns. The customary vetting process is a significant part of Samburu marriage traditions, meant to ensure the integrity and suitability of prospective spouses.
“The due procedure of the Samburu culture is that a background check must be conducted before the marriage. And so it was—and thoroughly,” she explained.
She emphasized that despite public assumptions, she is neither married nor intends to marry the man in question.
“Allegations that I was married are false and unfounded, and I shall also not be married to that person whatsoever. I deeply thank our elders,” Lemaletian stated.
She further confirmed that a dowry of Ksh100,000, which had been presented during initial negotiations, was returned, and the engagement was officially called off in January 2025.
“The elders of my family halted the entire process after the background check and refused to accept the dowry. As such, the whole engagement was cancelled,” she affirmed.
Lemaletian expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family elders for their protection and counsel, stating that their involvement filled the void left by her late father.