It was a touching moment for Reverend Chemjor, a devoted man of the cloth, after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen gifted him a car in a heartfelt gesture that left the clergyman visibly moved.
The Toyota Probox was handed over during a church service by Mogotio Member of Parliament Reuben Kiborek, who represented the CS at the event.
According to Kiborek, Murkomen chose to honour the reverend for the kindness he showed him over two decades ago, having hosted the now-CS back in 2002 during his early evangelical missions.
''It was a joyous Sunday at A.I.C. Pombo as we officially handed over a vehicle to Rev. Chemjor, a generous gift from CS Interior and National Coordination Kipchumba Murkomen,'' Kiborek shared after the gifting.
''In a beautiful full-circle moment, Rev. Chemjor once hosted CS Murkomen at his home during his 2002 evangelism mission. May God bless CS Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen and Reverend Chemjor as they continue to serve faithfully.''
It also reignited conversations about the Church’s historical role in sheltering and nurturing young leaders, with many pointing out that Murkomen’s journey—from a youthful evangelist in need of hospitality to a powerful Cabinet Secretary—was one worth reflecting on.
In August 2018, while serving as the then Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Murkomen made headlines after gifting former President Uhuru Kenyatta a traditional Marakwet belt, a gesture loaded with cultural meaning.
The donations come at a time when the government continues to defend itself fiercely against calls to stop public servants from making contributions to the church.
President William Ruto has maintained a stance that he would continue his contributions to the church despite calls to end the donations, which have been questioned in the past.
Last year, Ruto appeared to hint at a policy discouraging public officials from making financial contributions to churches, only to later walk back his pronouncements.
The contradiction came to light on November 19, when the Catholic Church declined a combined Ksh5.8 million donation from President Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja during a service at Soweto Catholic Church.
During the November 17 event, Ruto had pledged Ksh600,000 for the church choir, Ksh2 million for the construction of a priest’s house, and a further Ksh3 million to be wired directly to the church’s account for the purchase of a bus. Governor Sakaja also contributed Ksh200,000.
The rejection of the donation sparked public debate and raised questions about the line between philanthropy and politics in places of worship.
