Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen found himself caught in an unexpected situation on Sunday during a football tournament in Kabarnet, Baringo County.
The heckling incident that prompted him to exit the stage midspeech was initially misconstrued, as it was later clarified that the chants of ‘Ruto Must Go’ were not directed at President William Samoei Ruto but at a Football Kenya Federation (FKF) official named Mr. Ruto, responsible for grassroots football.
CS Murkomen, invited by Baringo County Governor Chesire Cheboi to attend the tournament, faced rowdy youth attending the match who expressed their frustration towards FKF officials. The chants led to Murkomen leaving the stage, resulting in the postponement of the OKM Peace Cup tournament.
The men’s finals were specifically postponed due to protests from Baringo Youth FC against their loss to Chemogoch FC from Mogotio. Murkomen explained that the majority of attendees were Baringo Central fanatics, occupying more than half of the stadium.
Their rowdiness made it impractical to continue the match, emphasizing that the discontent was directed at FKF officials and not him or President William Ruto.
Despite Murkomen’s unsuccessful attempts to calm the situation and encourage fans to return peacefully to watching the match, the tournament was called off.
The CS directed Baringo County leadership to promptly resolve the issue so that the event could resume.
“I believe Governor Cheboi, with the local leaders, will resolve the small matter soon, and we shall return to Baringo to watch the men’s final and award all the winners,” Murkomen stated, expressing optimism for a swift resolution.
