Narok Senator Ledama Olekina will not attend the 10th devolution conference which kicked off in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Tuesday.
In a statement, the outspoken legislator and government critic termed the biannual event as a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“The devolution conference is a waste of public resources! It’s a boys and girls club to parade themselves to talk about nothing! I won’t attend!” Olekina said.
The devolution conference is a waste of public resources! It’s a boys and girls club to parade themselves to talk about nothing! I won’t attend!
— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) August 15, 2023
President William Ruto is expected to officially open the event at the Eldoret Sports Club.
More than 10,000 delegates are expected to attend the forum which runs till Saturday, August 19.
Opposition chief Raila Odinga is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the event on Thursday.
The theme of this year’s conference is: “10 years of devolution: The present and the future.”
The event brings together local and international delegates to discuss, learn and share best practices on pertinent issues affecting sub-national governments and provide trade and investment opportunities for communities in Uasin Gishu and neighbouring counties.
“We want to warmly welcome all visitors to our remarkable county which is privileged to host this year’s devolution conference. This momentous event will reflect on significant milestones that have been achieved since the establishment of devolution,” Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said recently.
This is the first devolution conference under President Ruto’s administration.
In November 2021, a devolution conference held in Makueni County turned chaotic after governors declined to be addressed by then-deputy president Ruto’s aide Ken Osinde.
Ruto was expected to address the county bosses on the last day of the conference but, instead sent his Chief of Staff to represent him as he proceeded to a political rally in Nyandarua.
The governors, however, denied Osinde the chance to address them and instead blocked him from attending the event.
“We expected the DP to attend and preside over the closing of the conference. As governors, we consider this conference as an international event and not every person can execute such an important function,” former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said.
