Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina has launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua over what he described as an over reliance on ethnic numbers, arguing that political leadership should be based on national credentials, competence and vision.
Ole Kina’s remarks came a day after he slammed Kenya’s prolonged campaign culture, warning that unchecked political mobilization could deepen divisions and undermine national development ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“When I become President of Kenya, I will strictly limit the official campaign period to a maximum of three months,” Ole Kina posted on X on Monday, August 17.
The senator described prolonged campaigns as a “NATIONAL DISEASE”, arguing that they fuel “goonism, insults, violence, and division” while distracting political leaders from development.
Ole Kina subsequently turned his criticism towards what he described as Kenya’s fixation on tribal numbers, appearing to target Gachagua’s repeated references to the political strength of the Mount Kenya region.
RELATED NEWS:
- Kaluma Calls for Probe Into Homa Bay Violence
- Ndindi Nyoro Quits UDA, Joins Opposition Ahead of 2027 Election
- NCIC Summons Peter Kaluma Over ‘One-Term’ Remarks, Warns of Arrest
“The biggest disease rotting Kenya is this stupid belief that tribal numbers equal merit,” Ole Kina said in a post on Tuesday.
He argued that ethnic numbers should not be used as a measure of leadership ability, warning that political influence built primarily around ethnic mobilization could perpetuate division.
“A man propped up by ethnic headcount is not a leader he is just a noisy ethnic warlord with a title,” Ole Kina said.
He further dismissed Gachagua’s projections regarding the Mt. Kenya vote, telling the former DP, “Riggy G, keep flashing those imaginary numbers you use to scare people.”
Politics Beyond Tribal Numbers
The remarks come amid an increasingly heated debate over the size and political influence of the Mt. Kenya voting bloc ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
Gachagua has repeatedly highlighted the region’s numerical strength and its potential role in determining the outcome of the next presidential election.
Ole Kina, however, maintained that Kenya’s political future should be anchored on national leadership, development and competence rather than ethnic numbers.
“Numbers without brains, vision or national character mean nothing,” he said.
