Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was intercepted in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with $16.2 million, suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
The revelation was made public on Twitter by Chris Sambu, a digital reporter on July 6, highlighting the ongoing efforts of G8+ Elite & Rogern’s 7, an intelligence-tech unit dedicated to recovering illicit funds stashed in offshore accounts.
According to Chris Sambu, CS Murkomen was detained in the UAE following a thorough investigation by the intelligence unit. The funds he was found with are suspected to be part of a larger network of corruption and embezzlement involving high-ranking officials.
Additionally, it has emerged that G8+ Elite & Rogern’s 7 has successfully frozen Ksh 125.9 billion in foreign accounts linked to nine Cabinet Secretaries and ten corporate executives.
Undoubtedly, the freezing of such a substantial amount of money highlights the scale of corruption within Kenya’s government and corporate sectors. It also brings into question the integrity of officials entrusted with public resources. The international community has been closely monitoring Kenya’s efforts to tackle corruption, and this development is likely to attract considerable attention.
Murkomen’s interception is expected to trigger a series of investigations and potential legal actions against other implicated officials. The government’s response to this incident will be crucial in determining its stance on corruption and its willingness to hold those in power accountable.
Interestingly, this development comes barely hours after President William Ruto, during a heated Twitter space, refuted claims that any government official had been arrested with millions of cash. According to Ruto, his Cabinet has been performing well, and those calling for its disbandment don’t understand what it takes to be a leader.
Nonetheless, CS Murkomen is among several government officials who Kenyans have pinpointed over accusations of exhibiting a high level of luxury at the public’s expense.