Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, on the night of Wednesday, February 26, shed light on his relationship with Deputy President William Ruto.
While responding to a headline published by Daily Nation in its edition of Thursday, February 27, which read, 'Ruto Man Fights Uhuru City Takeover', the lawmaker firmly and curtly stated that he was his own man.
He further clarified that he did not agree with the deputy president on everything but explained that he still respects him as a leader.
"Dear Daily Nation, I reject your silly characterization. I have a name. I have a job. I am NOT an employee of the Deputy President.
"I don’t agree with him on everything even though I respect him as my Deputy Party Leader. Don’t involve me in your vicious war with the DP," explained Murkomen.
The publication had indicated that President Uhuru Kenyatta's takeover of key Nairobi County functions had further proved that the Jubilee Party was experiencing a rift between leaders allied to the president and those of his deputy.
While speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday afternoon, the lawmaker argued that the decision to surrender key county functions to the national government was an affront to the people of Kenya and the residents of Nairobi many of who were questioning its constitutionality, legality and the resultant effect on service delivery.
The Elgeyo Marakwet senator said State House’s reference to Article 187 as the guiding law for the transfer of the functions was a futile attempt to cleanse a flawed process.
He further noted that the agreement was availed to the public after the transfer had occurred which, he argued, was against the constitution.
"The Deed was executed yesterday, February 25, 2020. The views of the public are now sought on a Deed that has already been executed. In effect, the people of Kenya have been denied the opportunity to decide, at the outset, whether or not the functions of the County Government should be transferred to the National Government.
"To say that the Agreement contravenes the provisions of the Constitution and the law with respect to public participation is an understatement.," he stated.
