Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday broke his silence over legal representation of Governor Mike Sonko.
Speaking during a goat auction event in Baringo, the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator set the record straight on why it is his responsibility to defend the governor.
“Munaongea mambo mingi ati Murkomen alienda kortini kusimama na sonko. ( a lot has been said over my appearance in Sonko’s legal team) Let me tell you, the first responsibility of the senate is not oversight. Go and read article 96 of the constitution, ” remarked Murkomen
“The first responsibility of the senate is to protect counties and county governments,” he added
Soon and very soon we shall have a return of imperial provincial administration with governors answerable to county Commissioners. It may be hard to remove devolution in the Constitution but it will be strangled to death in the pretext that someone is fighting corruption. pic.twitter.com/OjhZo2E1Ta
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) December 21, 2019
Murkomen went ahead to state that devolution was under threat and the Council of Governors Chairperson, Wycliffe Oparanya is a coward.
This comes days after uproar from leaders and members of the public over the legibility of his appearance in Sonko’s trial on December 9.
Murkomen and his Makueni counterpart, Mutula Kilonzo Jr were part of a legal team that represented Sonko in court.
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja expressed his reservations on his fellow senators representing an accused governor in court terming it as a conflict of interest.
On Jamuhuri day, President Uhuru also told off legislators who have been representing governors in court citing conflict of interest.
“One cannot serve as a legislator at the national or county level while at the same time practising law, whether or not for gain,” Said Uhuru.
Sonko, who is facing corruption charges, was arrested on December 6 and released on December 11 after a Ksh 15 Million cash bail.