Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his Public Service counterpart, Aisha Jumwa, left President William Ruto and other attendees in stitches after erring in their addresses.
Ruto and his allies addressed him and the nation at the launch of Devki in Kwale County on Friday, November 18.
First, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen cracked up the audience after addressing President Ruto as “Mr Speaker”, a custom used in addressing the Speaker in Parliament.
He quickly retracted the statement and proceeded with his speech.
"Soon we are going to get more wagons and more uh Mr Speaker," he stated before pausing his speech to join the audience in laughter.
He, however, defended himself by noting that he had been in office as a cabinet secretary for only three weeks since his swearing-in.
"Do not worry Mr President, I am still learning to adjust to my new role. I am glad I did not refer to you as Deputy President," he hilariously stated.
Murkomen served for three terms as a senator before resigning to take up his cabinet role.
During his fare well speech in the Senate, Murkomen declared that he would miss debate sessions in the house and the moments shared with his fellow members.
“I will always cherish the good memories and experiences gained while serving in this great office,” Murkomen stated in his farewell speech.
Public Service CS Aisha Jumwa followed suit with another gaffe after referring to President Ruto as "Naibu wa Rais"- the Swahili translation for Deputy President.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank the Deputy President," she stated before halting her speech to join others in laughter.
Jumwa apologized and stated that she was accustomed to interacting with Ruto as the DP.
Murkomen and Jumwa were among President Ruto's footsoldiers in the long campaign period preceding the August election. Upon assuming power as the President, Ruto appointed them to serve in his inaugural cabinet.
