The ODM senator's comment, which was posted on January 31, questions whether the candidates for the 2027 presidency are ready, pointing out a perceived gap between ambition and actual knowledge of how to run a government.
Olekina wrote, "Everyone wants to be president until you ask what a president actually does."
Supporters agreed with his call for depth, but critics said he was being hypocritical because he had flirted with the idea of running for president in the past.
Anwar Saddat's response defended strategic silence over aggressive tactics and referred to Olekina's "hornbill candidate," which was a jab at what he saw as opportunism.
This is happening as early campaigns are getting more intense, even though Olekina asked on Facebook earlier this year to stop politicking until May 2027 to focus on development.
As President William Ruto runs for re-election, opposition leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua, and impeached former DP Rigathi Gachagua are getting ready to run.
Rivalries have gotten worse since Raila Odinga died, and alliances have formed in places like Mount Kenya and Western Kenya.
According to analysts, Kenya has a history of elections based on slogans, from "Tano Tena" in 2017 to the more recent "hustler" stories.
Olekina, a farmer and outspoken environmentalist, says that people should focus on things like the economy and infrastructure instead of holding rallies too soon.
People on X have said everything from nice things about his honesty to tribal insults, showing how divided the conversation is.
As 2027 gets closer, these kinds of criticisms may push candidates to run on platforms based on policy, but sceptics don't think change is possible in a pitch full of slogans.
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Politics