Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has addressed accusations that he promised to pay Ksh 500,000 to individuals willing to occupy the State House.
On Friday, 28th June, Murkomen took to his X account to refute these allegations, sharing a screenshot that purported to show him conversing with another social media user.
The Secretary flagged the screenshot, which has been circulating on social media platforms, as fake and urged Kenyans not to be misled by such rumors.
“Fake! Good people ignore this propaganda,” Murkomen wrote.
Transport CS Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen gestures during a past event
The allegedly fabricated screenshot suggested that a social media account, claiming to belong to Murkomen, attempted to entice a user into mobilizing a group to storm the State House in Nairobi, with a promise of a Ksh 500,000 reward for the effort.
“I see you have a significant following. I would like us to work together for the betterment of our country,” read part of the fake post. “I have 500K and would like you to mobilise many youths and influence them to set the protests. Please sake of theirs.”
According to the screenshot, the recipient purportedly turned down the offer and demanded a Ksh 1 million reward instead.
“I wish to do this for the sake of my country and a better future. How about you make it 1M so we can buy bulletproof vests and make it to the State House?” suggested the other user. “If we succeed, you won’t be forgotten. Otherwise, I’m not making a deal with you to sell out our country.”
Murkomen’s clarification comes days after President William Ruto issued a warning to criminals disguising themselves as peaceful protesters.
“It is not in order, or even conceivable, that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people,” Ruto said.
