Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has slammed President William Ruto for holding frequent luncheons at State House, asserting that such meetings are not beneficial to the economy.
In a statement on his official X account on Wednesday, September 3, Ole Kina claimed that President William Ruto should refrain from holding such meetings at the State House in the next 100 days and instead shift to virtual meetings.
Ole Kina, who termed the meetings as "politics of plates," said that they are a waste of taxpayers' money, and the expenses incurred on bus rides, per diems, and buffets should instead be shifted to other development projects across the country.
"You may not like what I have to say, but I’ll say it anyway: State House lunches [equals] waste of public funds. Bus rides, per diems, and buffets don’t build roads or jobs," Ole Kina stated.
"Mr. President, pause county visits & State House lunches for 100 days—embrace digital town halls. End the politics of plates, embrace the politics of the future," he added.
Ole Kina, who is a close ally of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, has not been shy to call out the president directly over his recent directives and agendas.
Responding to the president's recent directive requiring counties to adopt the e-procurement system, the senator claimed that the directive will lead to legal repercussions since it contravenes the Constitution.
In a statement on his official X account on Monday, September 1, the lawmaker claimed that despite the Head of State having good intentions in imposing the systems on the devolved units, forcing them to adopt it goes beyond the constitutional powers of the national government.
The senator warned that the directive will, as a result, prompt counties to initiate court cases, which will consume county resources and delay development.
"With the utmost respect, Mr. President, County governments are constitutionally semi-autonomous. Article 219 clearly mandates that counties receive their equitable share of revenue without undue delay and without deduction," Ledama said.
"While the intent behind the e-procurement directive is understood, imposing it on counties exceeds the powers granted to the national government by the Constitution," he added.
