Murkomen: War on graft is targetting BBI and handshake critics

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has rubbished the government’s war on graft as a political witch-hunt targetting Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) critics.

Speaking in Baringo on Saturday, December 22, Murkomen accused the DCI and the DPP of working in cahoots to frustrate governors who are not in support of the BBI and the handshake.

“Governors, if you do not support BBI and the handshake, they will insigate imaginary corruption cases against you and remove you from office, your cases will go on until 2027,” he said in part.

Murkomen, who also defended his presence in Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s legal defence team, said that his first role as a senator is to protect counties and county governments.

“Many of you are just speaking here but you don’t know the truth. You are busy bashing me for joining Sonko’s defence team. Let me tell you…the first responsibility of the Senate is not oversight. Go and read Article 96 of the Constitution,” he explained.

He was speaking a few weeks after President Uhuru Kenyatta bashed legislators who were also practicing lawyers, accusing them of conflict of interest.

Murkomen and his Makueni counterpart Mutula Kilonzo had ruffled feathers when they showed up in court to defend Governor Sonko who is accused of missapropriating Ksh. 357 million.

On Jamhuri day, President Uhuru Kenyatta scoffed at leaders who were rushing to court as defence lawyers for public officers facing corruption charges.

He also called for the fast-tracking of the anti-graft bill which would bar public servants — both elected and nominated — from doing business with the government and engaging in harambees.