Patrick Ntutu's journey from a village boy in rural Narok to the governor's position is nothing short of inspirational. His rise to power was not just shaped by determination and ambition but also by support from a woman of legendary association; Deloris Jordan, mother of basketball great Michael Jordan.
In a twist of fate that would determine his destiny, Ntutu's education was funded by Deloris through her foundation, setting the pace for his remarkable ascent to prominence.
Today, as the Governor of Narok County, he reflects in amazement at the immense impact it had, noting that had he not been sponsored, his story might have turned out very differently.
Meeting Deloris Jordan and Securing a Scholarship
In 1993, Patrick Ntutu, a young Masai from Kenya, faced a bleak future after narrowly missing the university qualification mark. His life took a dramatic turn when a group of tourists from Chicago, led by Deloris Jordan, visited his village.
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Deloris, president of the Michael Jordan Foundation, was moved by the Masai people’s hospitality and felt compelled to help. She decided to offer a scholarship, initially to Patrick’s sister, Beatrice, who declined and recommended Patrick instead. 
Impressed by his intelligence and discipline, the foundation awarded him a scholarship, making him the only non-American recipient.
In August 1994, Ntutu traveled to the United States, where he pursued business administration at Roosevelt University, earning his Bachelor's degree in 1996 before later completing a Master’s in Finance in 2000.
Return to Kenya and Political Career
Upon his return to Kenya in 2002, Ntutu joined public service as a District Officer in Malindi Division. His leadership skills and growing influence among the Maasai elders led to calls for him to enter politics.
He stepped down from public service to contest the Narok West parliamentary seat and secured victory on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket in 2013. After serving two terms, he ascended to the position of Governor of Narok County in 2022.
Honoring Deloris Jordan in 2025
On March 11, 2025, Governor Ntutu welcomed Deloris Jordan to Narok County for the commissioning of the Oleleshwa Dispensary in Ewaso Ngiro Town, Narok North Sub-County.
During the ceremony, Ntutu expressed deep gratitude to Jordan for the pivotal role she played in his life.
“She is my second mother, some of you know that I went to the United States of America about 30 years ago. She is the one who took care of me for about seven years. You can imagine paying all my school fees from the first year in college, all the way to graduate school. When you see me today, I am humble, but at times I get a little bit emotional when I see her. It is what it is,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledged that without the Jordan family’s support, his path would have been entirely different. “I would not have been the Governor of Narok County if it had not been for her,” he noted.
To highlight his long-standing connection with the Jordans, Ntutu shared a nostalgic video of himself alongside basketball icon Michael Jordan, showcasing the lasting bond he maintains with the family.
