Kipchumba Murkomen, the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator on Tuesday, May 26, rejected his new role as a member of a senate committee, that he was appointed to by his party, weeks after he was ousted as Senate Majority Leader.
Murkomen criticised the move to replace Laikipia Senator John Kinyua who lost his position as the chairman of the Senate Devolution Committee.
“This afternoon I learned from the media that I have been proposed to serve in the Senate Devolution Committee, in effect replacing Senator Kinyua who is being punished for standing with me.
“Accepting the position will be tantamount to repaying unstinting loyalty with spite and treachery,” he stated.
The changes were effected by Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kang’ata on Tuesday, May 26.
“As a Majority Leader, I chose not to serve in any committee and I ensured that committee membership and leadership was distributed fairly among my colleagues.
“I condemn the unwarranted humiliation of senators Linturi, Kinyua, Langat and Cherargei merely because they stood by the truth and fairness,” Murkomen stated.
He explained that he was not opposed to serving in the position, which is junior to his former role as Senate Majority Leader.
“Now and in the future, I am ready to serve the nation in any capacity and in any committee even as a mere member.
“What I abhor is to take up positions at the expense of colleagues who are being humiliated for no apparent reason. Thank you and God bless,” he concluded.
Senator John Kinyua was moved to the Senate ICT Committee to replace West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio who vacated the seat after being named Senate Majority Leader.
“The effect of this will be that Senator Kinyua will cease being Devolution Committee Chairman and Senator Linturi will no longer be a Public Accounts Committee member and Vice-Chair of legal [the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC).
“Senator Langat will cease from being Chairman of Education while Senator Cherargey will cease from being Chairman of the Legal Committee,” Kang’ata said.
