Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has come a long way since his early days as a Sunday school teacher at his home town, Embobut.
He is currently one of the most recognizable politicians in the country, having established himself as one of Deputy President (DP) William Ruto's most trusted allies.
Origins of the doting father of four (who married his campus sweetheart Gladys Wanjiru) can be traced back to the Sengwer community in Marakwet East.
Raised by an evangelist father, Johana Murkomen, who served the African Inland Church in Chawis village, the young Murkomen soon started teaching Sunday School at the same church.
From his early days at Chawis Primary School (where he studied up until 1993), Murkomen was known for his incessant need to be the best.
This is what guided his decision to repeat Standard Eight, with his former schoolmate, Kilimo Ruto, revealing that he was not satisfied with his KCPE marks.
'I was a good performer. On my first attempt at KCSE in 1993, I only qualified to join a district school. I decided to give the apple a second bite in 1994 and I did exceptionally well.
"That was my breakthrough. I joined St Joseph’s High School, Kitale, but I later moved to my dream School — St Patricks High School, Iten," the Senator revealed during an interview.
Ruto and Murkomen later reunited at St Patrick’s High School, where Murkomen soon took up the role of choirmaster at the school's Christian Union (CU).
His firm and opinionated nature was visible by this time, with his former classmates revealing that missed out of the top leadership of the C.U because of his no-holds-barred approach.
“At some point, he was at loggerheads with CU officials who claimed he was spending a lot of time in football which was affecting his role as the choirmaster," Murkomen's schoolmate recalled.
Not one to wallow in self-pity, he then campaigned and was voted by students to be the dining hall captain.
Before he ventured into politics he worked as a lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, the University of Nairobi and Moi University.
He then went on to pursue a Law degree at the University of Nairobi (UON), and later earned a scholarship to do a Masters of Law at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, and is also an alumnus of the American University Washington College of Law in the US.
Notably, during his time at UON, Murkomen became the first Second Year student to be elected the chairman of the prestigious Kenya Law Students Society.
"My best stint in student leadership was when I was elected chairman of Fellowship of Christian Unions’ National Students Executive Council that led over 25 Christian unions in universities and colleges," he once revealed.
In an interview on Kiss FM on January 30, Murkomen disclosed that he once served as a pastor in Ngara, Nairobi County.
However, this did not last long after his deep accent pushed many members of the congregation away, making him decide to abandon his dream.
"I was a mini pastor. At first, many people would come, and because of my accent, people left, which meant we couldn't collect much. I hadn't learned how to speak in tongues," recalled Murkomen.
Through his clergy role, the senator was able to earn some money that enabled him to pay for part of his school fees and also cater for his basic needs.
By this time, the Senator had already made some crucial political in-roads, having founded Rift Development Trust (RIDET), an NGO, alongside Nandi Governor Stephen Sang.
He officially joined the political arena when he contested for the Elgeyo-Marakwet senatorial seat at on a United Republican Party (URP) ticket, going on to beat long time political stalwart Nicholas Biwott.
Murkomen later retained his position in 2017 on a Jubilee Party ticket, flooring former Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo.
He had been serving as the Senate Majority Leader until May 12, when the House by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, formerly stripped him of his role, which was then given to West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio.
This has not deterred the vocal legislator from speaking his mind. On June 16, he was one of the standout opponents of the decision to have a special committee to determine the outcome of the motion to impeach Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru.
"Senate has sanitized & cleared the Governor of Kirinyaga. It’s done. Don’t wait for the Committee’s decision.
"To the people of Kirinyaga I am sorry we did our best but it is finished. Your fight for accountability has been frustrated by Senate don’t give up use other avenues," he tweeted following the Senate's decision.
