Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has castigated lawmakers over their ongoing debate over the control of state funds like the National Government Constituency Development Fund.
Speaking during a live TV interview on Monday, May 26, 2025, the outspoken senator asserted his stance on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to entrench three (3) funds in the Constitution: the National Government Constituencies Fund (NGCF), National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), and the Senate Oversight Fund (SOF).
The senator holds that the monies be put in the county’s kitty as MPs retain the role to oversee the funds under the principle of separation of powers.
“I’m a firm believer in the separation of powers. It becomes virtually impossible to lead a nation if those who come up with laws are the same ones who want to implement laws. I don’t personally support that,” he stated.
“The majority of the money should be going to the county government or remain with the national government. If we agree to devolve resources and functions, you cannot devolve and remain with functions,” he added.
He has slammed MPs, emphasising that lawmakers should end this fixation with wanting to be in charge of the funds and stick to their cardinal task of making laws, which he claims the majority have abdicated for other personal deals.
Olekina further voiced the need for the public to be sensitised on what constitutes the role of their MPs.
“The problem is we don’t carry out civic education for Kenyans on our laws of oversight. Citizens should know that MPs, Senate members, and other elected representatives’ role is to make laws, not to give bursaries or build schools and churches.
“We are missing the point. MPs need to focus on our work. It is the reason why you do not see MPs in parliament. Sometimes the parliament is empty, and you find MPs out there making deals with people in the private sector,” he lamented.
While acknowledging his stance may not be shared by all his counterparts in the senate, Ledama maintained that people must show responsibility and undertake the job that got them elected by the people.
“We have to be independent thinkers and call things as they are. We have to build this nation; our time will come and go, but we have to do this for posterity and for future generations. We are not doing this to ourselves,” he posited.
