CS Murkomen Takes Cherargei To Court

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei are set to go head-to-head in a court of law in the latest episode of their political fallout.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) elected senator on Monday, March 18 announced that the CS, an ally of President William Ruto, served him with court documents from the Milimani Commercial Courts after instituting a lawsuit against him on March 12, 2024.

The courts warned Cherargei of dire consequences should he fail to respond to Murkomen's lawsuit.

“You are hereby required within 15 days from the date of service hereof to enter an appearance in the said suit. Should you fail to enter appearance within the time mentioned above, the Plaintiff may proceed with the suit and Judgement may be given in your absence,” read the summons in part.

Unfazed, Cherargei affirmed that he would continue performing his oversight duties diligently, without being coerced by anybody, even one who shares close ties with President Ruto like himself.

“We shall defend the great people of Nandi County in the quest for better roads through our blood and sweat. Alluta continua. So Help Me God,” the Nandi Senator stated.

In December 2023, Cherargei alleged that CS Murkomen had sued him for claiming that he was given a Ksh15 billion incentive by a Chinese investor. This was after he was thrown out of Senate chambers during the grilling of the Transport Cabinet Secretary.

At the time, Cherargei was warned that he would be sued should he fail to issue an apology to CS Murkomen within seven days.

This is not the first time the UDA diehards have ganged up against each other, a tiff that began on October 27, 2023, when they clashed in public regarding contractors of road projects in the Rift Valley region.

While speaking during the funeral of the son of Chesumei MP Paul Biego Polo, in Kalenjin dialect, Cherargei expressed his reservations against the contractor who won a tender to pave a road project, arguing that he was not from the local community.

He underscored that hiring a contractor from the grassroots would greatly benefit the residents and asked the youth to be given priority in terms of training for road construction, thus boosting their chances of securing jobs.

"I hear that some people are saying that they want to bring people from other communities to be contractors. Give our children the priority of being contractors because if we don't teach our children to be strong contractors, we won't be competitive," remarked Cherargei.

However, the remarks drew the ire of the CS who lamented that hiring locals for the project would hurt the locals themselves, especially when they are sacked for not doing the required duties.

Murkomen expressed the belief that any Kenyan can be hired as a contractor as long as they do what is required of them.

"What about our people whom we have given big contracts owing billions and are in Central and Mombasa? Do you want them to be chased to come home? As your teacher, I have brains and a plan.

"Any contractor who comes to Mosoriot from any community, be it a Kisii or any other, let's welcome them all to build us roads. My work as the CS is to ensure that all roads are constructed properly," Murkomen responded.

The CS and former Elgeyo Marakwet Senator went on to claim that the Senator had shunned President William Ruto after the former was re-elected to the Senate in 2022.

"Cherargei has only one problem, and if William Ruto had reasoned like him, then he wouldn't be President," Murkomen went on.