NAIROBI, Kenya- Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has triggered a fresh round of debate online over political consistency and resource equity after issuing two statements, months apart, on how public funds are distributed and utilised across Kenya.
In a January 11, 2026 post, Senator Ledama defended parts of Northern Kenya’s development plight, arguing that it was a consequence of historical marginalisation and national policy design, not mere leadership failure.
“The North didn’t ‘fail to develop’ while Mt Kenya heroically built itself,” Ledama said, pointing to government policies such as Sessional Paper No. 10 and skewed budget priorities that have long favoured “high potential” regions at the expense of arid and marginalised counties.
He rejected narratives blaming Northern leadership alone for poor infrastructure, calling such framing “dishonest ethnic populism.”
“Historical marginalisation is real, and using lazy stereotypes to lock poor kids out of national schools is not protection — it’s greed in a suit,” he said.
The North didn’t “fail to develop” while Mt Kenya heroically built itself. It was underdeveloped by policy design – from Sessional Paper No. 10 to skewed budgets that favoured “high potential” regions and starved arid counties of roads, schools and hospitals. Blaming Northern
Earlier Statement Sparks Controversy
However, in a March 23, 2023 post that has resurfaced amid ongoing discussions about public funds and drought relief, Senator Ledama took a markedly different tone when addressing leaders from Somali‑majority counties, including Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Garissa.
In that statement, he urged Somali leaders such as Ali Roba, Aden Duale, Ahmednasir Abdullahi and Wehliye Mohamed to ensure that public money earned in their counties, especially from equalisation and other devolved funds, is invested locally rather than being used to enrich businesses and properties in Nairobi.
“All Somalis must start taking back their money to their counties — this business of making Nairobi rich must stop,” he wrote, criticising perceived outflows of county wealth.
He argued that although counties like Wajir and Mandera receive their “lion’s share of equitable resources,” local investments often favour the capital, leaving drought‑affected communities without adequate services.
Counties like Wajir , Mandera , Isiolo and Garissa get the lion share of equitable share but when you visit the counties all their resources is being invested in Nairobi . This must stop 🛑
The discussion comes amid a larger national conversation on equity in public resource allocation, particularly in the wake of debates over school infrastructure, national school placement and devolution financing.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for a review of affirmative action in school placements, prompting responses from peers including former presidential candidate James Ole Kiyiapi.
Senator, @rigathi is not responsible for Kenya’s lopsided over 60 years development history – and it will not help us lamenting about what happened or didn’t happen. Those who went before us did their part the way they knew. The present is calling on YOU elected leaders to also
