Senate Assembly Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen broke his silence hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta reshuffled his cabinet.
Taking to Twitter respond to one of President Uhuru’s appointment, Murkomen congratulated one of the appointee saying she had given his county a reason to smile.
“On behalf of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet County, I Congratulate Hon. Linah Kilimo on her appointment as CAS Agriculture & Cooperatives. Godspeed, as you serve the Republic”, tweeted Murkomen.
Murkomen’s reaction comes hours after President Uhuru made key changes to his cabinet.
On behalf of the people of Elgeyo Marakwet County I Congratulate Hon.Linah Kilimo on her appointment as CAS Agriculture & Cooperatives. Godspeed as you serve the Republic. pic.twitter.com/9SzOt6vuvQ
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) January 14, 2020
Among those who were sent packing include outgoing Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mwangi Kiunjuri who was replaced with trade and industrialization CS Peter Munya.
Suspended Treasury CS Henry Rotich was also sacked and replaced with Ukur Yattani who was serving in an acting capacity.
Kiunjuri’s sacking comes weeks after he expressed allegiance to Deputy President William Ruto.
The former Laikipia County gubernatorial candidate has been expressing commitment to work with DP Ruto in his quest to clinch the presidency come 2022.
During the burial of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua’s burial last week, the CS urged the Mt Kenya region to support Ruto for presidency saying they had sealed a covenant with him since 2013 hence the need to honour the promise.
The CS also came under rabid criticism after a farmer in the North Rift region lamented over Kiunjuri’s incompetence after they not only lacked a market for their farm produce but also failed to receive payment for maize delivered to NCPB.
CSs who retained their positions include Dr Fred Matiang’i (Interior), Adan Mohammed (East African Community and Northern Corridor Development), Amina Mohammed (Sports, Culture and Heritage), Charles Keter (Energy), Eugene Wamalwa (Devolution), James Macharia (Transport), Joe Mucheru (ICT), Najib Balala (Tourism), Prof. George Magoha (Education), Farida Karoney (Lands), Keriako Tobiko (Environment), John Munyes (Petroleum and Mining), and Margaret Kobia (Public Service).
Other changes affecting the Cabinet Administrative Secretaries include; Hussein Dado (CAS Interior), Ntutu Patrick (CAS Labour), Tuimur Andrew (CAS Water), Peter Odoyo (CAS Defense), Maureen Mbaka (CAS ICT), Winnie Guchu (CAS, State Law Office) and Lina Kilimo (CAS, Agriculture).