Editor's Review

Taking to social media on Thursday, the lawmaker offered shelter to refugees from Ukraine.


The whole world is aware of and regrets the war that is ongoing in Ukraine after Russia invaded the Eastern Europe country on February 24, 2022.

Locals and citizens of other countries in Ukraine have been forced to seek refuge in neighbouring countries following a series of attacks by Russia.

Countries and individuals from around the world have offered to help Ukrainians, however, for Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, an act of kindness appears to have attracted more criticism than applause.

Taking to social media on Thursday, the lawmaker offered shelter to refugees from Ukraine.

"My heart goes for Ukraine! I am willing to provide a temporary home for Ukraine refugees," Ledama stated.

His message, intended to help, has, however, elicited mixed reactions from netzens.

A section of Kenyans have capitalised on the opportunity to question the Narok legislator as to why he would offer help to foreigners while Kenyans in several parts of the country battle adversities such as hunger.

The netizens called out the lawmaker for hypocrisy, accusing him of remaining mum on issues affecting Kenyans while quickly offering aid to foreign refugees.

"Stop showing sympathy for Ukrainians while our own people are dying of hunger. Solve home problems before going for them," one tweep stated.

"Then after elections useme watu warudi kwao? You hate on some tribes in your country but now you are pretending to be UNHCR? Buy or cook a decent meal and share with homeless in your county/city/neighborhood etc," another added.

"Baringo, West pokot, Wajir and Turkana need your generosity more than Ukrainians,, charity begins at home," another stated.

"For us to believe that you are not pretending, give your home to the Mau Forest Evictees."

"Meanwhile we have Kenyan students stuck there who are suffering racism cause they are Africans,they can appreciate help coming back home ...with such a kind heart like yours,my hustle would really improve if you hooked me up with those two tools...wasemaje mkubwa?" Another tweep posed.

On Wednesday, March 2, reports emerged indicating that 28 Ukrainians are currently stranded in Kenya after they arrived as tourists.

Speaking to the press, they expressed fears of returning to their home country, even as the situation in Kyiv worsens.

Marrie, a Ukraine citizen, revealed that she and her husband flew to Kenya on February 19 to celebrate her birthday. Marrie, whose parents are Ukrainian (mother) and Russian (father), now says she may not have a home to return to.

"My husband decided to surprise me with a trip to Kenya for my birthday. None of us was expecting that something would happen to our homes back in Ukraine.

"I know we cannot go back home (Ukraine) and that is crazy because you are not sure what exactly will happen tomorrow," she reiterated.

Marrie and 23 others are now being hosted at the Diani Sea resort after a philanthropist from the Czech Republic, Vaclav Kobla, offered to pay for their accommodation after getting knowledge of their plight.

"I posted on social media alerting the Ukrainian embassy informing them that 23 people were stuck at the Leopard Hotel and needed to check out. We went from hotel to hotel looking for a way to help them," another Ukrainian citizen noted.