Murkomen: Uhuru not presidential candidate, so Raila working with him

Senator Kipchumba Murkomen [Courtesy]

Nairobi: Monday, October1:  The Senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen maintains that Raila Odinga is only working with President Uhuru Kenyatta because Uhuru is not a presidential candidate.

In an interview with KTN News, Murkomen, who is also the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, says the Raila-Uhuru rapprochement is a two-man affair.

He told his interviewer Murimi Mwangi that he had been reminded to keep off any engagements that would impede 'handshake' from bearing fruits.

"We have been reminded overtime that the handshake is about two-people thing and that the DP should not involve himself in anything that is related to uniting Kenyans," he admits that there has been a lot going on behind the scenes. [He didn’t cite any specifics]

However, he distanced himself from the allegations that he was acting under duress from the Deputy President.

"I serve all the supporters of Jubilee," said Murkomen.

On Sunday, the Deputy President William Ruto said Raila Odinga wanted him out of Jubilee

Speaking at Majaoni Settlement Scheme in Kisauni Mombasa County where he issued 3,000 tittle deeds, the Deputy President said: "I want to state categorically that we have no space for propaganda, gossip, confusion and conmanship in our party and government.

They are trying to import chaos into Jubilee and eventually break it up. We are not allowing that scheme."

 Ruto’s sentiments have elicited varied opinions. According to Murkomen, "It's something that has been brewing over time.” According to Murkomen, a lot has been happening in the background.

Speaking to press on Monday, Junet, the Suna East lawmaker, who doubles as the minority whip in the national assembly said, "He (Ruto) is looking for a scapegoat to leave"

Junet told reporters Raila was not William Ruto's equal and deserved respect.

"Let him (Ruto) not call Raila names like conman, Raila is not his equal. Raila is a statesman and it will take William Ruto another 50 years to achieve what Raila has achieved as a person politically in this country. So we demand from him respect if he is to be respected as a Deputy President," said Junet.

Appearing alongside Junet Mombasa Governor Joho, said the Deputy President only wanted to destroy the goodwill generated by Uhuru-Raila cooperation.

Said Joho: “Some of us could not sit in one table with other political leaders but we are now doing it, only for the purpose of unity."

Reacting to Ruto, Norman Magaya, the CEO National Super Alliance tweeted:

"We are ready and set for a full blown war with you. We will battle you in all spheres and defeat you.”