Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads, Transport and Public works was heckled in Baringo on Sunday.
Murkomen was among the dignitaries that showed up for the county governor’s cup football cup but he was disrupted while addressing the crowd.
“Ruto must go,” the crowds chanted in a video that went viral.
On social media, many were left wondering why Baringo locals were agitated in that manner.
Murkomen has however come out to clarify several matters about the heckling.
According to the CS, the drama was witnessed after one of the teams playing protested their loss, leading to the postponement of the men’s finals.
“I was in Baringo to support Governor Cheboi in the county’s Governor’s cup, which is a combined effort with the OKM peace cup. We enjoyed the women’s game where Kabarnet Starlets beat Ndabul FC by 3 goals to nil… The men’s finals were postponed after Baringo Youth FC from Kabarnet, Baringo Central, protested their loss against Chemogoch FC from Mogotio,” the CS noted in a tweet.
Murkomen went ahead to set the record straight about which Ruto had agitated the crowd. According to him, the Ruto is an football official.
“The officials did their best to resolve the matter, but the Baringo central team were not satisfied. Being the home team, and with their fans being more than half the stadium, it was impossible to proceed with the match. The players and the fans poured their frustrations on FKF officials, especially one Mr. Ruto, whom they felt, was not addressing their concerns,” Kipchumba noted.
He however didn’t fail to appreciate the volunteers who made the OKM Peace Cup a success urging the Governor and officials to settle the matter.
“I appreciate all the volunteers who have so far made the OKM Peace Cup a success. We look forward to the finals in Kapenguria. I believe Governor Cheboi, with the Local leaders, will resolve the matter soon, and we shall return to Baringo to watch the men’s final and award all the winners. Sports can be emotive, but football is a beautiful and popular game that can be used to foster peace. A friend who followed the incident joked that we should stick to athletics,” he further noted.
I was in Baringo to support Governor Cheboi in the County’s Governor’s Cup, which is a combined effort with the OKM Peace Cup. We enjoyed the women’s game where Kabarnet Starlets beat Ndambul FC by 3 goals to nil.
The men’s finals were postponed after Baringo Youth FC from… pic.twitter.com/2I5fms8SP8
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) November 26, 2023