Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is now threatening to sue Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei for defamation.

In a demand letter seen by TV47 Digital, CS Murkomen has taken issues with a press conference that the senator did on November 24, 2023, in which he accused him of being corrupt, a betrayer, and unfit to hold public office.

During the press conference, Senator Cherargei slammed CS Murkomen for always defending Chinese contractors in the country, to the detriment of local contractors.

Senator Cherargei went on to allege that CS Murkomen — while on a visit to China between June and October — received a $100 million bribe from a Chinese firm.

“…who will defend Kenyans who are contractors, or does it mean that Kenyans we don’t have capacity of doing roads. Even slashing and unclogging drainages, do we need Chinese to come and slash, where will our young people who do not have jobs go?” Senator Cherargei had said.

CS Murkomen denies allegations

CS Murkomen says that Cherargei’s words are false and that he doesn’t have any evidence to support his allegations.

The CS says that the lawmaker’s words brought his stature as a member of the Executive into disrepute.

Consequently, CS Murkomen has given Senator Cherargei seven days to accept liability for defamation, to give way to negotiations.

Additionally, CS Murkomen wants the senator to offer an “unqualified” apology in writing through the same channels he allayed his allegations from.

“If you fail to comply with the terms of this demand within the time specified…, we have firm… instructions to institute court proceedings against you without any further reference to you,” the demand letter from Ongoya & Wambola Advocates reads in part.