Murkomen fails to apologize for "Rwanda is a small country" comments

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen.[Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has maintained his stance on the autocratic leadership comments about Rwanda.

Replying to a tweet by constitutional lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi who had criticized him for disrespecting Rwanda's leadership, CS Murkomen instead highlighted achievements that the country (Rwanda) has made through its leadership.

"I have expressed my admiration for Rwanda's style of leadership which has made it possible for them to build good infrastructure including a new airport and enforce discipline and order on their roads," said Murkomen.

CS Murkomen further said that countries like UAE, Morocco and Saudi Arabia are under autocracy that has delivered success to their citizens.

He reiterated that Kenya's democratic state is good but hinders the government from making simple decisions.

The CS urged Abdullahi to fight against the injustices going on in the country instead of raising concerns about Rwanda.

"Instead of you crying about Rwanda please cry for your country. Help us deal with for example court orders that award a contractor Sh10 billion for claims and interests for a contract worth Sh 2 billion or a road that stalls for 10 years because a competing bidder is still waiting for a decision of the court," he added.

Murkomen was replying to Abdullahi's initial comments in which he called on Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Koriri Sing'oei to find a solution before the sentiments escalate and interfere with international relations.

"Dr Singoei Korir, you need to urgently organise workshops for government officials and educate them on basic tenets of the comity of nations. CS Kipchumba Murkomen can't attack a sovereign-friendly state without provocation and disparaging President Paul Kagame just like that. This is embarrassing," said Abdullahi.