The controversy arose after Olekina appeared to defend the Nairobi County Government under Governor Johnson Sakaja, prompting Khalwale to accuse him of ignoring the harsh reality on the ground.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Khalwale described it as “unfortunate” that Olekina would praise Nairobi’s leadership while floods continue to wreak havoc across the city.
The senator cited the recent floods that have claimed over 31 lives and destroyed countless homes and businesses.
According to Khalwale, these disasters are not merely natural occurrences but are largely a result of poor urban planning, unchecked corruption, and the county’s failure to enforce existing laws.
“This is a preventable tragedy,” Khalwale said, emphasizing that proper drainage systems, law enforcement on illegal constructions, and accountability in public works could have mitigated the damage.
He urged fellow senators to hold Nairobi’s leadership accountable instead of offering blanket praise.
Khalwale’s remarks have reignited the debate over Nairobi’s flood management and urban governance. Critics argue that rapid urbanization without adequate infrastructure, coupled with weak oversight, has left many residents vulnerable to seasonal floods.
Khalwale’s intervention underscores growing frustration among lawmakers who believe that leadership failures directly contribute to the city’s recurring disasters.
Senator Olekina, on the other hand, maintained that the Nairobi county government has made strides in flood mitigation, a claim that Khalwale sharply dismissed as “out of touch with reality.”
The exchange reflects wider tensions in the Senate as lawmakers from different regions clash over accountability, governance, and the protection of citizens in Kenya’s rapidly growing urban centers.
With the rainy season continuing, many hope that this debate will push county leaders to act swiftly before more lives are lost.