Senator Murkomen's Journey into Politics

  

Date Posted: 6/26/2013 9:03:01 AM

Posted By: Chadeshady  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 1697

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There is an old English (Swahili maybe) saying which says something to the effect that a fruit doesn’t fall far from its tree. I’d pretty much say the same about the chairman of the Devolved Government Committee (yours truly) considering his role model is the vice president of this country. But I’m not about to talk genetic inheritance and all that biology mojo; no, not at all.

The first time I heard of Elgeyo Markwet’s Senator was back in the days when he and David Makali were political analysts on Julie Gichuru’s ‘The Kibaki Succession.’ I never really had much thought of him granted his conservatism nature and at the time, I used to think (believe being the most preferred word) Makali was more liberal minded than him. But that was then, he was later replaced by Peter Opondo; I guess the programme he was as a guest, went into his head and thus catapulting him into the political arena.

Fast forward to the period after the March 4th General Election and this guy’s name pops up; not on Kibaki’s Succession as before but far away from Nairobi. Some place where Elgeyo and Marakwet meet. Forgive my supposed ‘awe’ but his legal acumen, analytical skills and don professionalism were best suited in a classroom. Seeing him battling the senatorial seat among heavy weights at the time like Nicholas Biwott was one hell of a jump. Call it a leap of faith and I now understand why it ends with faith. And so it came to pass, his political ambition started way back in 2002 when as a young man, he served as deputy presiding officer of the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) in Marakwet. Having rubbed shoulders with aspirants and supervised the electoral exercise, the quest for political leadership to serve

members of his community remained alive even as he pursued further education abroad.

Like his role model before him, I’d like to think Senator Murkomen’s star hasn’t shone its brightest yet thus far. Given his witty and steadfast approach to issues, the Elgeyo Marakwet Senator has proved to be a political asset for the Uhuru-Ruto Jubilee team. But it’s far from over considering that the political game has just started and despite being a member of the United Republic Party (URP) under the vice president’s leadership, his position as chair of the Committee on Devolved Government puts him in a rather awkward position. A position where his loyalty is put to the test. Whether to his party’s boss or the very people who voted him in office that is one situation that requires tact and lots of wisdom to handle.

I guess that is what politics is all about, huh? A life filled with gambles.

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