Narok Senator Ledama Olekina was once one of President William Ruto's fiercest critics. On Sunday Live, Jeff wanted to know what happened to that voice. "I stopped the politics of noise making," the Senate minority whip said, "and I delved into the politics of delivery."
He said a joint ODM and UDA technical team is already drafting a manifesto for the broad-based arrangement, and that ODM will go into the talks as equals. "We are not going to be anybody's subordinate," he said, comparing it to bargaining for a cow at the market. He denied that ODM has split, and said talks on zoning and nominations could begin in February.
On Edwin Sifuna, his former deputy, he drew a sharp line. "I am in the business of delivery while Sifuna is in the business of rhetoric," he said. "He can keep the mic and I keep the delivery." Nairobi, he argued, can afford an opposition purist; Narok cannot. He said the late Raila Odinga visited his home before the cooperation deal to ask Maasai leaders to back working with Ruto, and pointed to the Narok airport, which he said is about 90% complete, the SGR and new tarmac roads as proof. Jeff pushed back on his plan to call the President over a Narok bypass that got only KSh 15 million, reminding him the President cannot touch the National Infrastructure Fund.
Olekina still carries the memory of being injured at Bomas in 2022, defending Raila's claim to victory. He still believes Raila won, he said, but has moved on: "If Baba could move on, who is Ledama not to move on?"
In Part 2, he set out his own plans. He will seek re-election as senator, would accept the running mate slot, and says that in 2032 "you will see Ledama's name on the ballot." He accused parts of the united opposition of reading from someone else's script, dismissed Rigathi Gachagua's chances on account of his impeachment, but said he still respects Kalonzo Musyoka and hopes to reach out to him.
The Magic Wall did not go easy on him. Viewers asked whether development should depend on being close to the President. Development is a right, he replied, but without a seat at the table "it will be put on the waiting list." He blamed delays at the Narok airport on a shortage of bitumen linked to the war in Iran, called recent abductions and political violence "ridiculous," and said that, broad-based or not, he believes Kenyans are overtaxed. He also rejected Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku's new party, saying the Maasai belong at the national table.
He closed with a plug for the Maasai Cultural Festival and a plea for less negativity. "A country is only as good as you make it," he said.
Continue with Part 2 on Citizen TV.
Jeff Koinange TV
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