Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. Photo: capitalfm.co.ke
A fierce political battle is looming in Elgeyo Marakwet County, with area Senator Kipchumba Murkomen’s arch-rivals ganging up in a bid to unseat him come August 8.
Murkomen, a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto is facing stiff competition from other aspirants for the Jubilee Party ticket.
They are, just to mention a few, Cornelius Chepsoi - Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) Chairman and Michael Kibiwott.
Former Inspector General of Police David Kiamaiyo had also announced his candidature for the senate seat, and will vie on a KANU ticket.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga last year endorsed Kimaiyo for the seat.
Raila accused Murkomen of being part of the cartels that looted the National Youth Service (NYS) money. At least Sh1.6 billion was lost in the theft.
Murkomen’s law firm, Sing’oei, Murkomen and Sigei Advocates, was last year accused of receiving Sh15 million of the stolen money from Out of the Box Solution – a company also mentioned in the NYS scam. Murkomen denied the allegations.
“You can’t complain about burying people every weekend, yet you remain in the same government that has failed to protect your people,” Raila said at Chesongoch on November 8, 2016, while referring to the killings in Kerio Valley then.
Murkomen has been accused of doing little, as area Senator, to end cattle rustling and banditry in the region – despite him being close to the President and his Deputy.
It will be an uphill task for the Senate deputy majority leader to beat Kimaiyo, following rebellion from some Elgeyo Marakwet locals who claim they have been sidelined by the Jubilee administration.
Political analysts say Murkomen will sweat to retain his seat.
“It will not be easy for Murkomen to win in the coming elections. The Marakwet community are very bitter about the Government and how it is handling issues affecting them, especially insecurity and public appointments,” said Richard Ruto, a political analyst from Marakwet, as reported by the Standard.
Ruto (the analyst) says Murkomen won the 2013 election because there was no other aspirant from the Marakwet community challenging him.
The Jubilee senator, has however, exuded confidence in trouncing his rivals come August 8.
“…Verily verily I say unto you, Elgeyo Marakwet County will not be under ‘Sieke’. At least not under my watch!” Murkomen posted on Facebook on September 25, 2016, mocking Kimaiyo.
Murkomen maintains that he has fulfilled nearly all of his campaign promises to the people of Elgeyo Marakwet.