The controversial Kipchumba Murkomen has been implicated in a corruption scandal involving an alleged Ksh.15.3 billion bribe from a Chinese company.
The accusations were made by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who claimed that Murkomen received the bribe from China Wu Yi to secure road construction contracts for Chinese firms at the expense of local contractors.
Cherargei alleged that Murkomen had already received half of the bribe, approximately Ksh.7.6 billion, and that the funds were stashed in Dubai.
The senator claimed to have evidence, including flight manifests, to support his claims. He further criticized Murkomen for favoring Chinese contractors while sidelining Kenyan businesses.
Murkomen responded by filing a defamation lawsuit against Cherargei, demanding a public apology within seven days.
Through his lawyers, he warned that failure to comply would result in legal action.
The letter from Murkomen’s legal team stated that the allegations damaged his reputation and lowered his standing in society.
This scandal raises serious concerns about corruption in government contracts, particularly in the infrastructure sector.
It suggests that high-ranking officials prioritize personal financial gains over the interests of Kenyan contractors and taxpayers.
Despite Murkomen’s legal threats, the accusations have fueled public debate on corruption within the government.
Murkomen’s past tenure in the Roads Ministry is already marked by controversies, including allegations of awarding lucrative contracts to foreign companies.
This case highlights the broader issue of corruption in Kenya’s leadership, where accusations of bribery and favoritism are common but often go unpunished.
If Murkomen’s lawsuit is meant to silence critics rather than address the claims transparently, it will only deepen public mistrust in the government.
