Kenyans were stunned when Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen revealed some of the expensive items he owns – a watch worth Sh900,000, a belt of between Sh40,000 to 50,000, shoes worth Sh70,000 to 80,000. And his ties cost him just something small – one at Sh 20,000.
Perhaps feeling that he had said too much on the social media show, Murkomen tried to water it down saying he only needs one belt in two years, and that it can be worn on either side to give the impression of two belts.
He also told the show host that it was wise to buy one belt worth Sh 50,000 that can be worn on both sides. “Black on one side and brown on the other side. When you turn it, people think you have two belts,” he said.
Murkomen was speaking on Obinna Show Live on Monday night when he revealed all, much to the shock of Kenyans who tweeted about it.
It appeared that he was showing off his wealth at a time when Kenyans have complained about the political class living large, swimming in opulence at a time when the common mwananchi has to tighten their belts to afford the most basic items, if at all.
In the past, he has been pictured wearing a Rolex watch then worth Sh3 million and another Classic Fusion Ceramic King gold watch currently worth ksh1.3 million, using a pen said to be worth Sh150,000 and was also spotted in Gucci shoes that were said to be worth Sh131,000.
The CS said he is aware that Kenyans have been talking about his apparent extravagance, which he referred to as vanity, but it seemed the heat had gotten to him as he continued to downplay the costs of the items.
"There are two watches that have gone viral on social media. The first one I bought, it was not as expensive as they said and the second one a friend of mine, came to me, because he saw the other on social, and said, ‘I sell watches, do you want me to sell you Rolex?' and I said, ‘Yes, why not. He sold it to me at a third (30 per cent) of the price being claimed on social media. He even gave me time to pay in installments," said Murkomen.
He acknowledged the questions that he had been receiving from Kenyans regarding wearing expensive watches and shoes, saying that maybe if he had invested the money in the money markets to buy bonds, it might have earned interest. He however hinted at reducing either the overspending or the showiness, but it was not clear which of the two he meant when he called it his weakness.
"I want to tell all Kenyans who faulted me for wearing those watches that that is my weakness and I am willing to correct myself. If a watch or shoe is going to distract the people I serve from the key things that I must be held accountable for, I have said to my friends that the watches can stay,” he said.
Kenyans have expressed on social media that the opulence that some members of the political class show are proceeds of corruption, obtained using public funds. Murkomen has however said that he buys all those items using his own money.
When he was vetted by the National Assembly Committee on appointments for the position of cabinet secretary, he disclosed that he was then worth ksh 550 million, due to his properties and businesses.
“Mr Speaker, I'm worth an estimated Sh550 million made up of majorly properties; my house in Nairobi and another in Eldoret, three parcels of land in Trans Nzoia, a parcel of land in Narok, in Kajiado and in Nairobi apart from where I live,” he said then.
"I practice law under the firm of SMS LLP Advocates, that is one of the main sources of income and of course I've been earning salary from my job as Elgeyo Marakwet senator, and I also have a bit of income from farming.”
On Obinna’s show, Murkomen reiterated that he is ready to be audited. Earlier on, he had said on X that in line with the current National Conversation and to address the concerns that state and public officers were living beyond their means, the individuals should be auditied.
“I propose that Parliament urgently introduces and passes Lifestyle Audit Bill to provide the parameters of auditing the state and public officers and to investigate their living standards to ascertain consistency with their lawful income. The Bill should among others set the maximum cost of personal wear/outfits, cars etc . I submit,” he said.