If Ruto Reasoned Like Cherargei, He Wouldn't Be President- Murkomen

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei on Friday, October 27 confronted each other 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.

CS Kipchumba Murkomen inspecting road works in Kericho County on October 12, 2023 ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN

"Thank you, CS, for coming. You know few people tell you the truth. Work in Nandi is not good. Thank you, Waziri, for the road that is being undertaken, Mosorit,"

"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.

Despite not revealing the details of the alleged fallout between Ruto and Cherargei, Murkomen mocked the Senator by hinting that if Ruto had the same train of thought as Cherargei, he would have lost the 2022 general elections.

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

"When you came to the Senate, I told you that we should get close to Ruto, but you decided to stay afar," Murkomen went on.

In attendance at the funeral was Chief of Staff and the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, who coincidentally works in Ruto's government and at State House.

Others included Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapsaret) and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu). 

CS Kipchumba Murkomen with Chief of Staff and the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei at the funeral of Chesumei MP Paul Biego Polo's son in Nandi County on October 27, 2023. /KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN