Narok Senator Ledama Olekina has elicited fierce reactions after his controversial comments regarding recent government appointments.
On Friday, November 29, Ledama took to Twitter to vent his anger over the appointment of Macharia Irungu as Kenya Pipeline Company’s new Managing Director by Petroleum and Mining CS John Munyes.
“This hypocrisy of inclusivity in Kenya must end! Kenyans wake up! How do you justify filling all positions with one tribe? Kenya Power new MD is Kikuyu, KenGen MD is kikuyu, NTSA is kikuyu, REA is kikuyu the board of KPC has 4 Kikuyus out of 9 members! And you talk of BBI? [sic]” Ledama posed.
The senator also threatened to go to court to challenge the new appointments citing that it amounted to tribalism.
Even before a sheep empty it’s urine tribalism continues in Kenya!! This is the worst form of Government in the history of Kenya. We will proceed to court to challenge this tribalism! Kwani sisi ni Guest in this country ? Nonsense!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LAADXvnPqS
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) November 29, 2019
However, his comments did not augur well with a section of Kenyans, among them Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu.
The vocal MP warned Ledama that they would not allow him to build a profile as a Masai kingpin by selling Kikuyu hate-speech.
Senator. Wacha upuz. Kwani this country has only 6 parastatals. We will not allow you to build a profile as a Masai kingpin by selling Kikuyu-hate. No way my friend. Hiyo hatutambui. https://t.co/6cGUNeWgzk
— Hon Ngunjiri Wambugu (@ngunjiriwambugu) November 29, 2019
In a rejoinder, the Narok Senator angrily responded to Wambugu’s reaction alleging that every policy in Kenya is currently skewed towards benefiting the Mt Kenya region.
“Don’t think we are stupid … every policy in kenya today is skewed towards benefiting your region. We will not allow you to fool us! You want to tell me the energy sector which is the most lucrative can only be managed by your tribe!” he said.
Upuzi ni wewe! Don’t think we are stupid … every policy in kenya today is skewed towards benefiting your region. Mjinga Ameherefuka! We will not allow you to fool us! You want to tell me the energy sector which is the most lucrative can only be managed by your tribe! Noneses!
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) November 29, 2019
In a statement, CS Munyes said that the KPC Board of Directors settled on Irungu after a vigorous recruitment process.
According to reports, the board received 88 applicants seeking to fill the position out of which nine were shortlisted.
“The names of the three candidates who scored highest were thereafter forward to me for a final decision on who should be appointed the Managing Director,” the CS said.
Munyes added that Irungu scored the highest points from a final list of three names and brings a 28-year experience in the field to the company.
Irungu has been the MD of the Gulf Africa Petroleum Corporation, which is a member of the Total Group, before his appointment.
