Surprising Reason Why Ruto Barred CS Murkomen From More Tasks

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday revealed that President William Ruto bared two Cabinet Secretaries from handling any more tasks and directed them to deal with the El Nino disaster.

Speaking in Garissa County during the distribution of relief food, Gachagua stated that Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and his EAC, ASALs, and Regional Development counterpart Peninah Malonza had been directed to halt other tasks and focus on counties affected by the rainfall.

According to the second in command, Murkomen was exclusively tasked with overseeing the repair of all roads affected by floods across the country. The directive came after Kenyans complained of  poorly built roads  that were affected by heavy rainfall.

“Kipchumba Murkomen received an order from President William Ruto to stop all other projects until he repairs roads affected by the rainfall across the country and that is what is he doing now,” Gachagua told the congregation.

Meanwhile, Malonza will be in charge of the distribution of relief food in all affected regions including Garissa. The DP emphasised that the national government is working to ensure no more Kenyans die due to the heavy rainfall.

“CS Penina Malonza is under instructions from the President to leave behind her current tasks. For now, her role is to buy food and ensure it is distributed across the country and no one loses their life due to hunger,” he stated.

More measures taken by the government to deal with the effects of heavy rainfall include the deployment of helicopters to aid in the food distribution process in areas rendered impassable by the floods.

Gachagua also asked other counties to halt development projects  until the rains subside in the first quarter of 2024. 

CS Murkomen, who was present during the food distribution exercise, announced plans to repair the damaged road from Nairobi to Garissa.

Murkomen revealed that in liaison with the Kenya National and Highway Authority (KeNHA) and other state agencies, the ministry was looking for permanent measures to restore the road network and bridges across the country.

He added that Ksh100 billion had been set aside for the repairs of roads in the next three years. The funds were from global investors including the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Bank.

On her part, Malonza detailed measures her ministry was taking to achieve the goal set by the president. She asked for cooperation from counties to allow all affected Kenyans to get the needed aid.