Kipchumba Murkomen, the former Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, has once again found himself at the center of a corruption scandal, this time involving the alleged illegal acquisition of land and the construction of a luxurious home by Chinese contractors.
The controversy was brought to light by blogger Boss Yator, who shared the details on his X handle on July 12, 2024.
According to Yator, Murkomen’s palatial home in Kamendi Farm, Chepsiro Ward, sits on 1,000 acres of land that was formerly owned by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) and the government.
The land had been idle for years before Murkomen reportedly used his influence to grab it.The house, described as a multi-million-dollar mansion, is said to have been built by Chinese contractors as a gift for the corrupt deals Murkomen made during his tenure as Roads CS.
This revelation sparked outrage among Kenyans, who saw it as yet another example of high-ranking officials prioritizing personal gain over public interest.
The allegations suggest that Murkomen used his position to award lucrative road construction contracts to Chinese firms while sidelining local contractors, a claim that has been repeatedly made by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.Cherargei has been vocal about Murkomen’s alleged corruption, accusing him of receiving a Ksh.15.3 billion bribe from China Wu Yi, a Chinese construction company.
According to Cherargei, half of this amount, approximately Ksh.7.6 billion, was stashed in Dubai. The senator claimed to have evidence, including flight manifests, to support his allegations.
Despite Murkomen’s attempts to silence these claims through a defamation lawsuit, the accusations only fueled public distrust in his leadership.
The construction of the house by Chinese contractors raises serious questions about Murkomen’s integrity and his commitment to serving Kenyans.
It is alleged that he demanded a 10% cut from every tender secured by contractors in the Transport Ministry, further enriching himself at the expense of taxpayers. This pattern of behavior has led many to question whether Murkomen’s actions were driven by personal greed rather than a desire to improve Kenya’s infrastructure.
The fact that the house was built as a “gift” from Chinese contractors suggests a quid pro quo arrangement, where Murkomen awarded contracts to these firms in exchange for personal benefits.
This is a clear violation of public trust and a betrayal of the Kenyan people.Murkomen’s reputation has taken a hit as a result of these allegations.
His tenure as Roads CS was already marred by controversies, including accusations of favoritism towards foreign contractors. The scandal only supports the perception that he is more interested in lining his pockets than serving the public.
The revelations by Boss Yator and the persistent accusations by Senator Cherargei have left a dark cloud over his legacy, tarnishing his reputation and raising serious concerns about corruption in Kenya’s leadership.
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