Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has filed a lawsuit for Ksh. 15.3 billion against Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei for making allegations of corruption against him.
The Senator claimed that the CS had accepted bribes of over Ksh. 15.3 billion ($100 million) from China Wu Yi, a Chinese corporation, earlier this year.
Murkomen accused the Senator of slander in a letter dated November 29, 2023, and demanded a public apology from him within seven days. In the letter, he stated that the accusations made by the Senator had damaged his reputation in the eyes of the public.
Murkomen’s solicitors instructed the Senator to accept responsibility for defamation and offer a written apology using the same methods used to publicize the offensive statements. Failure to comply with these demands would result in legal action against the Senator.
Cherargei accused Murkomen of accepting a deposit of over Ksh. 7.6 billion from China Wu Yi and claimed to have proof of the payment. He also accused the CS of favouring Chinese contractors over Kenyan residents in awarding contracts.
Cherargei challenged the CS to reveal the details of the agreement he signed with China Wu Yi and the location of the money in Dubai, where he claimed it was hidden.
He also questioned why Kenyan contractors were being denied contracts in favour of Chinese contractors.
The allegations were made while the Senate was discussing the state of the nation’s roads and other facilities.