Narok Senator Ledama Olekina was arrested by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission on February 22, 2020, over allegations of incitement during a Building Bridges Initiative rally in Narok. The arrest occurred after Olekina made remarks at the rally, claiming that the Maasai community had been sidelined in positions of leadership and that non-locals had encroached on Maasai-dominated areas.
During the rally, Olekina stated that the Maasai community was desperate due to the encroachment of non-locals in their areas. His remarks did not sit well with a section of leaders from North Rift and Central Kenya, who accused him of incitement.
Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony and his Nakuru counterpart Lee Kinyanjui called Olekina's remarks divisive and retrogressive. However, Chepkwony agreed with Olekina that the Maa community was indeed sidelined, but disagreed with the Senator's proposal to regulate land utilization.
Video footage of Olekina's arrest shows him arguing with plainclothes security men who asked him to board their vehicle. He eventually agreed to board the vehicle but resisted being sandwiched between the security men.
Speaking to Spice FM's morning talk show, Situation Room, on February 24, 2020, Olekina stood firm by his sentiments, accusing his critics of being blind to the plight of the Maasai. He also accused Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony and his area Senator Aaron Cheruiyot of hypocrisy.
ODM leader Raila Odinga appeared to defend Olekina, stating that everyone was accorded freedom of expression in the BBI. He quoted a famous saying, 'For those saying Kenyans are insulting each other, let them. Someone once said that I may not agree with what you have to say but I shall defend and protect your right to say it.'
