Roads, Transport and Public Works Cabinet Secretary nominee, Kipchumba Murkomen, on Wednesday, October 19, revealed that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga ushered him into national politics.
Speaking during his vetting before the National Assembly Committee on appointments, Murkomen stated that Raila nominated him to sit in the task force on the devolved government shortly after the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.
The job offered the lawyer the opportunity to serve with Musalia Mudavadi, then Deputy Prime Minister, in the task force mandated to lay the foundation for devolution in Kenya.
His time in the task force, Murkomen stated, accorded him the privilege of contributing towards devolution, which spearheaded the growth and development of 47 counties in the country.
“Raila Odinga nominated me to sit in the task force on devolved government. I served in that task force again with Mudavadi (Prime Cabinet Secretary nominee), and that must have been my most notable contribution to devolution because we came up with six laws on matters of devolved governance,” he noted.
Prior to his nomination to the task force, Murkomen had played an active role in the civic education exercise during the campaigns for the 2010 Constitution.
In addition, he also worked as a law lecturer in several institutions before making a stab at national elective politics in 2013.
He was elected for three successive terms as the senator of Elegeyo Marakwet County and also served as the leader of the majority in the Senate between 2017 and 2020.
In September, President William Ruto announced him as the nominee for the Transport and Infrastructure docket.
Murkomen will, subject to his approval by the National Assembly, resign as the Senator for Elegeyo Marakwet County.
Ksh550 Million Net Worth
Earlier during the grilling, Murkomen declared his net worth at Ksh550 million. Murkomen stated that his wealth was distributed in three parcels of land in Trans Nzoia County, one in Narok and another one in Kajiado County.
He also declared possession of two homes in Nairobi County.
"I am worth an estimated figure of Ksh550 million, made up of properties, parcels of land, vehicles, and a wheelbarrow.
"I don't own a motorbike. My sources of income are from my law practice, my senate salary and farming," Murkomen stated.
