Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has launched a scathing critique of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)'s weekend rallies in Western Kenya, dismissing them as political theatre that distracts from urgent governance crises.

Amidst rising political temperatures and economic strain across the nation, Senator Olekina has boldly broken ranks to question the utility of massive political gatherings. He argues that the spectacles of SUV convoys and loud music offer nothing but temporary amusement for a populace grappling with severe economic hardships.

The senator's remarks strike at the core of Kenya's current political discourse. While party loyalists mobilize for 2027, ordinary citizens are suffocating under the weight of taxation, unemployment, and an soaring cost of living. Olekina's intervention forces a critical pivot from premature electioneering back to the immediate crisis of service delivery and accountability.

The Illusion of Political Supremacy

In a strongly worded public statement, Olekina challenged the political elite's reliance on crowd mobilization as a metric for influence. "Does any of this really translate to political supremacy, or just cheap entertainment, where tomorrow everyone clocks back into their jobs?" he posed. His critique extended to the disruptive nature of these rallies, noting that convoys choke highways and trap ordinary citizens trying to go about their daily business.

The senator even invoked classical philosophy to underscore his point, citing Plato's warning that mob gatherings elevate passion over reason, and referencing Nietzsche's view of such events as herd weakness masquerading as strength. This intellectual framing elevates the discourse, suggesting that Kenya's political class is relying on outdated and intellectually hollow methods of engagement.

The Push for Genuine Oversight

Beyond critiquing rallies, Olekina is demanding tangible action on governance, particularly concerning devolution. He has called for an urgent Senate "Oversight Summit" to address the widespread mismanagement of county resources. According to the senator, devolution—once hailed as the panacea for regional inequality—has been hijacked by a few leaders for personal enrichment.

• He alleges that some governors have turned counties into their "personal ATMs."
• County governments are currently drowning in unprecedented levels of debt and pending bills.
• Olekina has dismissed the annual Devolution Conference as a "cartel's annual party for impunity."

These allegations resonate deeply with a Kenyan public increasingly frustrated by the stark contrast between the opulence of county officials and the dilapidated state of local infrastructure and healthcare facilities.

A Fractured Opposition Landscape

Olekina's comments arrive against the backdrop of a deeply fractured ODM. Following the inclusion of several ODM stalwarts into the broad-based government, the opposition has struggled to maintain a cohesive identity. The recent chaotic rally in Kitengela, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, highlighted these internal contradictions. That event ended abruptly when police deployed teargas, an incident that Mumias East MP Peter Salasya controversially claimed was state-funded to create a false impression of an active anti-government movement.

As the political elite traverse the country, the disconnect between their priorities and the daily struggles of the electorate grows ever wider. Olekina's critique is a necessary, albeit uncomfortable, mirror held up to a political class seemingly addicted to perpetual campaigning. Ultimately, the true test of leadership will not be measured in the size of weekend crowds, but in the formulation of actionable policies that alleviate the crushing economic burden borne by the Kenyan taxpayer.

"We must not allow our democratic processes to degenerate into mere weekend festivals while the republic's fundamental institutions slowly bleed to death," Olekina declared, challenging his peers to return to the arduous work of actual governance.