Ledama Olekina Declines Invitation To Attend Devolution Conference: "Waste Of Public Resources"

• The 10th Devolution Conference is scheduled to run from August 15 to 19 at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu county
• ODM leader Raila Odinga will be the guest speaker on day two of the conference, which will be on Thursday, August 17
• Narok senator Ledama Olekina termed the summit is a boys and girls club where leaders parade themselves to talk about nothing

Uasin Gishu - On Tuesday, August 15, governors, senators, and MPs started arriving in Eldoret for the devolution conference.

The summit is scheduled to run from August 15 to 19.

However, outspoken Narok senator Ledama Olekina said he would not attend the event terming it a waste of public resources.

"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!" Ledama tweeted.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga was invited to the 10th Devolution Conference.

According to the programme seen by TUKO.co.ke, the ODM leader will be the Guest Speaker on day two of the conference, which will be on Thursday, August 17.

Why Raila will address governors

The former prime minister, who is celebrated as the father of devolution, is expected to arrive at Eldoret Sports Club a few minutes after 12.30pm.

On the arrival of the ODM leader, a video indicating the 10 years devolution journey will be played.

President William Ruto will officially open the conference.

In a related development, Siaya governor James Orengo accused the government under the leadership of President Ruto of refusing to reinstate the security of top Azimio la Umoja leaders.

The leaders, including the former prime minister, disclosed that their security personnel were withdrawn ahead of the three-day nationwide demonstrations that began on Wednesday, July 18.

How Azimio governors plan to boycott summit

Speaking during the memorial of Kenyans killed during the protests in Siaya on Friday, August 11, Orengo said they would boycott any meeting with the president until Raila's security is reinstated.

He was categorical that governors elected on the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party ticket would begin by boycotting the conference.

"We have been told to go for a meeting of council of governors, that will be opened by President Ruto, so to speak. I am saying so to speak because we don't recognise it. We Azimio governors are the only ones without security, our security, our bodyguards were taken away," said Orengo.