Kipchumba Murkomen, currently serving as Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, has been a major figure in the nation’s politics.
His journey to prominence has been marked by both achievements and controversies that have cast shadows over his reputation.
In December 2016, Murkomen was implicated in a major corruption scandal involving the National Youth Service (NYS).
Reports indicated that his law firm received Ksh 15 million (approximately $120,000) linked to the NYS scam. The funds were allegedly used to purchase land in Eldoret on behalf of a client, who was also a suspect in the scandal.
When the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee sought documentation to verify this transaction, Murkomen’s firm declined, citing client confidentiality.
This refusal led to suspicions about the legitimacy of the transaction and raised questions about Murkomen’s involvement in the misappropriation of public funds.
Further complicating matters, in February 2016, former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru filed an affidavit implicating Murkomen and Farouk Kibet, an aide to then Deputy President William Ruto, in orchestrating fraudulent tenders within the NYS.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission subsequently summoned both individuals for questioning. These events intensified public scrutiny of Murkomen’s activities and associations.
In more recent times, Murkomen faced allegations from Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who claimed that Murkomen accepted a bribe of Ksh 15.3 billion (about $100 million) from a Chinese company, China Wu Yi.
According to Cherargei, this bribe was intended to secure favorable treatment for the company in government contracts. Murkomen responded by filing a defamation lawsuit against Cherargei, vehemently denying the allegations and demanding a public apology.
Additionally, an audit in July 2024 revealed financial discrepancies within the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), an agency under Murkomen’s purview as the then Transport Cabinet Secretary.
The audit highlighted a Ksh 1.2 billion discrepancy related to the implementation of smart driving licenses.
A substantial number of these licenses remained unused, leading to concerns about financial mismanagement and the effective utilization of public resources. Murkomen’s tenure has also been marred by accusations of influencing a Ksh 56 billion tender at the Kenya Ports Authority to favor a controversial Chinese firm, Jiangsu Rainbow.
Reports suggest that he, along with other high-ranking officials, manipulated the procurement process to ensure the firm’s success, raising concerns about the integrity of public procurement in Kenya.
In response to mounting criticism over his conduct and lifestyle, Murkomen issued a public apology in July 2024.
He expressed regret for any offense caused by his actions, words, or lifestyle choices during his public service.
This apology came amidst public outcry over his display of expensive attire and accessories, which many viewed as insensitive given the country’s economic challenges.
