Olekina urges unity in Parliament amid oversight storm
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has called for collaboration between the Senate and the National Assembly to restore public trust in Parliament, following rising concerns over corruption and the role of legislative oversight in county governance.
In a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Olekina responded to recent calls to limit the Senate’s direct oversight of counties, emphasising the need for solidarity amid mounting scrutiny.
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“The storm is here, and it’s hitting both Houses. Senate & National Assembly, can we lock arms, share that coffee, and shield the people’s will? Together is the only way forward,” he stated.
His remarks come amid heightened public criticism of lawmakers accused of accepting bribes to influence committee reports, raising fears that Parliament is becoming a marketplace of personal interests.
On Thursday, August 14, 2025, during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, calls were made to reassess the Senate’s approach to oversight. It was argued that Senate summonses directed at governors are unnecessary and risk undermining established local accountability mechanisms.
The sentiments added fuel to an already heated debate over the scope and conduct of legislative oversight at the county level.
Raila’s oversight push
Raila Odinga has renewed his call for stronger devolution, calling for a rebalancing of power between the national and county governments and criticising what he termed as overreach by the Senate in oversight roles.
Speaking during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on Thursday, August 14, 2025, Odinga strongly reaffirmed his commitment to devolved governance, stating that it remains a critical pillar of Kenya’s democratic and development agenda.
“I believe in devolution; I believe in more, not less, devolution. I believe in a balance of power between Nairobi and the counties; none should stand in the way of the other,” Raila declared.
Raila emphasised that the original intent of devolution under the 2010 Constitution was to bring services closer to the people while promoting local accountability and development.
However, he expressed concern over growing tensions between county executives and the Senate, particularly regarding oversight mechanisms.
“County governments are supposed to be overseen by county assemblies, not the Senate,” Raila said.
“It is unnecessary for the Senate to be summoning governors to appear before senators in Nairobi.”
He argued that such actions undermine the autonomy of county governments and risk turning devolution into an extension of national politics, rather than a tool for grassroots empowerment.
