Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has criticized President William Ruto’s county visits and State House luncheons, terming them a misuse of taxpayers’ money.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 3, Olekina advised Ruto to embrace digital town halls as a cost-cutting measure.
"You may not like what I have to say but I’ll say it anyway: State House lunches equals to a waste of public funds. Bus rides, per diems and buffets don’t build roads or jobs.
"Mr. President, pause county visits and State House lunches for 100 days; embrace digital town halls. End the politics of plates, embrace the politics of the future," he said.
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In the recent past, Ruto has been hosting meetings at State House, including with grassroots leaders and leaders from different regions.
For instance, on Tuesday, September 2, he hosted grassroots leaders from Turkana County in a meeting where he outlined ambitious development plans worth billions of shillings aimed at transforming the region's infrastructure and economic prospects.
In his statement, Ruto noted that Turkana County's progress has been held back for far too long, leaving it to lag behind other regions of the nation.
"For far too long, Turkana County's progress has been held back, leaving it to lag behind other regions of our nation. That is why we are transforming Turkana's infrastructure, starting with the overhaul of the Maili Tisa–Kitale–Kainuk–Lokichar Road, a lifeline that will connect the County to greater opportunities and markets," he stated.
Ruto also unveiled several flagship projects that will revolutionize Turkana's development trajectory, including the Ksh2.3 billion rural electrification project.
Additionally, he noted that infrastructure development will see the construction of a modern Ksh900 million stadium in Lodwar, which will provide the county with world-class sporting facilities.
The government will also expand the Turkwel Irrigation Scheme with a Ksh2.5 billion investment, putting more than 100,000 acres of land under productive cultivation and significantly boosting agricultural productivity in the arid region.
Prior to this meeting, Ruto had on Friday, August 29, hosted grassroots leaders from Meru County led by Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma.
"Kenya’s transformation demands unity of purpose and the power of collective action. It cannot be delivered in an instant, nor by one person alone, but through our shared resolve, sustained commitment, and steadfast consistency," he stated.
Earlier, on Wednesday, August 27, Ruto had hosted grassroots leaders from Kiambu County.
The meeting was attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, alongside senior political leaders from the region including National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, and Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku.
Also present were Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia, Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe, Ruiru MP Simon King’ara, Limuru MP John Chege, Kabete MP James Kamau, and Kiambu Town MP John Waithaka, among others.
