The long-simmering political rivalry between Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei erupted into a fiery confrontation during a dramatic Senate session on Wednesday, marked by personal jabs, accusations of incompetence, and veiled insults.
The Senate had temporarily suspended regular business to summon CS Murkomen alongside top police officials to provide updates on the investigation into the recent high-profile murder of digital influencer Albert Ojwang.
However, what was expected to be a solemn probe session quickly morphed into a war of words between the two Rift Valley politicians.
Also Read:
“Murkomen Must Resign” – Cherargei Demands Accountability
Senator Cherargei, a vocal critic of the Interior Ministry’s handling of insecurity, reignited his months-long call for Murkomen’s resignation, asserting that the CS had presided over a failed system plagued by rising police brutality and unresolved murders.
“The Ministry of Interior suffers from a leadership crisis. It’s good that the nation has seen the incompetence of CS Murkomen on this matter and if anybody has to resign, it starts with Murkomen,” Cherargei said before the House.
Citing the death of Albert Ojwang as a tipping point, Cherargei declared that the buck must stop with Murkomen. With a sharp jab, he quoted Abraham Lincoln: “If you want to know the true state of a man, give him power and money.”
He went further to sarcastically suggest that President William Ruto reassign Murkomen to a less sensitive docket.
“Does he need 10,000 years to make a change? He has not presented any policy on police brutality. The president must reshuffle the Cabinet and take him back to Sports—because he likes bringing ‘mchezo’ into serious business,” he added.
Also Read:
“He Was a Below-Average Student” – Murkomen Fires Back
CS Murkomen did not hold back. In a fiery rebuttal, he accused the senator of using Senate proceedings as a personal stage for political drama and clout-chasing.
“Every time I have had to come to this House, this same senator has been shouting ‘CS must resign’. It’s his daily chorus. But what evidence has he ever tabled?” Murkomen asked.
In one of the most controversial statements of the day, Murkomen publicly questioned Cherargei’s academic qualifications, claiming he once taught him and that the senator was an underperforming student.
“Senator Cherargei was my student. I taught him more than two subjects. His performance was below average! He has no legitimacy to question my competence. I will table the results if necessary,” Murkomen stated, drawing murmurs across the floor.
He further insisted that the Senate should uphold respect and seriousness, rather than being turned into a platform for unsubstantiated personal attacks.
“This chamber is a serious House. If I have to come here to debate about incompetence based on one person’s feelings, then that’s not oversight—it’s petty politics,” he added.
Tensions Boil Amid Calls for Reform and Respect
The heated exchange underlined deeper cracks within Kenya Kwanza’s leadership, especially as questions mount over how the government is handling security challenges and police conduct.
The clash also showcased the rising pressure on President Ruto’s administration to address concerns of governance and accountability amid growing public outrage over extrajudicial killings.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi was forced to intervene multiple times during the session to maintain order, calling on both leaders to exercise restraint and respect the decorum of the House.
As investigations into Ojwang’s murder continue, the public will be watching not only for answers but also for whether Kenya’s leadership can rise above personal rivalries to deliver justice.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of FMFIX Hub’s continuous coverage of governance and justice in Kenya. For verified updates on the Ojwang murder case and more political developments, follow us on facebook @ Fmfix Hub
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
