Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has vehemently denied claims by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that he was his student, dismissing the CS’s assertion as a mere political ploy to deflect accountability.
The fiery exchange erupted in the Senate when CS Murkomen appeared before the House on Wednesday to address questions surrounding the arrest and subsequent death in police custody of social media personality and teacher Albert Ojwang’.
During the session, Murkomen took a moment to address the persistent criticisms leveled against him by Senator Cherargei, particularly the Nandi Senator’s repeated calls for his resignation over perceived incompetence.
Murkomen specifically mentioned Cherargei’s past criticisms when he headed the Roads and Transport ministry, including accusations of failing to avert road accidents and neglecting local contractors. He also referenced a time Cherargei called for his resignation when a volleyball team lost while he was in charge of the Sports docket.
The CS then claimed, to the amusement of the Senate plenary, that Cherargei had been his student. “Mr Speaker, Senator Cherargei was my student. I taught him not one subject, not two subjects—more than two subjects. Mr Speaker, his performance was below average,” Murkomen stated, adding that Cherargei therefore had “no legitimacy, at all, to question my competency or perfomance.” He even offered to table the Senator’s examination results.
However, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi quickly intervened, cautioning the CS against bringing up the academic performance of members in the House debate.
Responding swiftly on social media, Senator Cherargei flatly rejected the CS’s claim.
“For the record CS Murkomen never taught me in any class of law,” Cherargei posted.
He further accused Murkomen of using the claim as a deflection strategy. “He was just making political statements to save his skin from accountability. He should answer Kenyans who kill Albert Ojwang.”
Cherargei reiterated his call for Murkomen’s resignation, citing the Ojwang death and other unresolved security incidents, including the murders of Catholic priests Fr Allois Cheruiyot Bett and Fr John Maina, the Angata Baragoi killings, and gang violence in Nakuru and Mombasa, as evidence of incompetence.
“He must resign! How can incompetent person teach me? It can’t happen,” Cherargei insisted.
The public spat highlights the ongoing political rivalry between the two leaders, a tension that predates Murkomen’s appointment to the powerful Interior docket.
Murkomen, defending his track record, referenced a 2020 incident involving the arrests of then-Senators Cleophas Malala, Steve Lelegwe, and Christopher Langat, arguing that Cherargei had shown little concern then, suggesting his current criticisms are politically motivated.
