Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, on Wednesday, opened up on the root cause of his tiff with Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and President William Ruto's stand on the matter.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, the Senator revealed that Ruto did not have a problem with him taking issue with the performance of the CS or any other member of the Cabinet.
He noted that he had even raised the matter during a prayer event attended by the Head of State in Bomet on Sunday.
According to Cherargei, Ruto was also pushing for better accountability of his Cabinet, adding that he even welcomed his past concerns over how CS Ababu Namwamba ran the Sports Ministry.
"I told the President that as he works, he should allow us to help him by putting the CSs in check. He does not have a problem with that. That is why he was the one who pushed for the amendment of the Standing Orders to allow for the CSs to answer questions in Parliament.
"For Ababu's case, it received the attention of the President and we even had a discussion. The President needs people who can call out these people who have seen power get into their heads," he divulged.
Regarding the main cause of the tiff, he asserted that succession politics in the Rift Valley was a contributing factor.
He revealed that CSs were angling themselves to take over from Ruto once he retires from politics, hence his decision to call some of the leaders into order. He argued it was time to deliver and not engage in succession plans.
"Some CSs come to funerals, say how politics should be done, and pledge loyalty. I have tried my best to use the channels that are legally and constitutionally recognised so that there is accountability. If I was to SMS him, who would give the accountability?
"There is the issue of the kingpin. Even if the President retires in 2032, he will chart the way forward on the matter. Some of the CSs have been sitting and planning on succession politics instead of fixing our roads," he added.
Cherargei maintained that he was in order to call out Murkomen despite facing sharp criticism from notable leaders, including Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi.
The Senator and the CS first publicly differed at a funeral in Nandi on October 27, after the former pushed for road projects to be reserved for contractors from the local community.
Murkomen acted contrary to the Senator's request and even alluded that the lawmaker was kicked out from Ruto's inner circle.
