Rare defence for Senator Murkomen in Kimaiyo exit

Residents from Elgeyo/Marakwet county have defended Senator Kipchumba Murkomen against accusations that he was behind the resignation of Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo who has since been replaced by Joseph Boinett.

Reacting to reports appearing in Weekly Citizen copy of last week with the heading “Kimaiyo exit factor impacts politics in Elgeyo/Marakwet”, the residents described the accusations as baseless and petty politicking.

Speaking in Kitale town, the residents wondered how Murkomen could be accused of having hand if someone took personal decision to resign.

Led by URP organising secretary for youth affairs Charles Kabelyon and members Kiptoo Kipkemoi and Kipyego Matayo told off those leaders going round the county claiming that Murkomen was responsible for the resignation of the IG.

“We do not know if the English language is a problem to some of our leaders or what it is really. Kimaiyo said he had taken personal decision to resign and we are wondering why some of these leaders claim he was forced to resign. Wonders surely never cease,” said Kabelyon.

The leaders particularly took issue with Marakwet East MP David Kangogo for engaging in witch-hunt kind of politics and yet he has failed to deliver.

“Kangogo should concentrate on development instead of going round the county tarnishing the good name of the senator. The problem especially with Marakwet leaders is that they are good in witch-hunting nature of politics. They feel jealous when they see one of them sitting with president or his deputy,” said Kipkemoi.

The residents said Kimaiyo had opted to resign instead of being subjected to humiliation by Kenyans who had demanded for his resignation following increased cases of insecurity across the country.

They wondered why Marakwet East MP, Kangogo was dragging the name of the senator on Kimaiyo’s resignation for his personal gains.

“Kangogo should stop dragging the name of our senator in the resignation of Kimaiyo who made his own decision to resign to avoid undergoing humiliation over insecurity matters. Kenyans had demonstrated demanding for his sacking and that of Internal Security minister Joseph ole Lenku,” said Kipkemoi.

The residents dismissed claims that Murkomen was fighting anybody who wanted to be near the president and his deputy and told Kangongo and his likes to stop playing childish politics.

“We know very well that it was Kangogo, Marakwet West MP William Kisang and Governor Alex Tolgos who organised recent protests against Murkomen in Kapsowar town. In fact, I was among those who were approached by allies of Kangongo to organise the demonstration but I refused to be used by selfish leaders,” said Matayo.

The residents said senator Murkomen was a town to earth leader who has helped many people from the community secure job opportunities as well as re-employ those who were unfairly interdicted from their places of work.

They said it was the efforts of the senator that the government recently launched the tarmac work on the Chebiemit-Kapsowar road.

They wondered why some leaders were undermining the work of the senator and yet they have nothing to offer to the community.

Matayo dismissed claims by the same leaders that the community was preparing to ditch United Republic Party whose leader is Deputy President William Ruto.

“People of Elgeyo/Marakwet are firmly behind URP and the few MPs should stop misleading Kenyans that the community will ditch the party. We are here to stay in URP and if some leaders want to leave the party they should do so in their individual capacities instead of talking as if they own our votes,” said Matayo.

They also dismissed claims that Elgeyo/Marakwet leaders had boycotted a prayer service in Turbo presided over by Deputy President Ruto in the pretext that they were protesting the resignation of Kimaiyo.

The residents said they sympathised with some few leaders who were inciting the people against the government. “We also want the government to investigate how women funds which were recently raised through harambees presided over by deputy president in Kapsowar and Tot towns respectively are being used,” said Kipkemoi.

The residents dismissed those claiming that senator Murkomen was eyeing the gubernatorial seat currently held by Tolgos as daydreamers. They said Murkomen was busy exploring ways of solving the many problems facing residents at the county and had no time for useless talks.