Raila’s deal with Ruto to develop Kenya made me cease criticism - Senator Olekina

According to the legislator, his previous strict opposition to President Ruto fizzled after his party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) commenced negotiating a partnership with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that the negotiations, spearheaded by the late ODM boss Raila Odinga and the Head of State, opened the path to introducing development in his County, a move that forced him to work with the ruling administration.

“Raila came to my home; he asked me to bring about 300 Maasai. He consulted with us, and he told us he wanted to work with Ruto so that we could come together. When he consulted with us, we agreed to be able to work with Ruto,” he said on Citizen TV Sunday Live show.

By cooperating with Ruto, today we have tarmacked roads, no one would have thought that a rural part of Kenya, where its only the Maasai who roam around and there’s a road. It only happened when we cooperated with William Ruto.”

Olekina further stated that ODM is working through a joint technical team to craft a shared manifesto with UDA.

He emphasized that ODM will enter any arrangement as an equal partner rather than a subordinate force.

Since 2025, Olekina has publicly defended President Ruto's flagship infrastructure and development projects, including affordable housing, roads, stadiums, and the Narok International Airport, praising the Kenya Kwanza administration for transforming the country.

In 2025, he criticized parts of Ruto’s administration, such as the frequent State House luncheons, arguing they did not add economic value.

"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 on his X in September 2025.

"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.”