Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen Heckled at Korom Festival in Eldoret

Eldoret, December 8 – Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen faced an unruly crowd on Saturday night during the Korom Festival, an event celebrating art, music, and culture, in Eldoret. The festival, headlined by celebrated South African musician Pamela Nkutha, had been proceeding smoothly until Murkomen was invited to address the audience.

Revellers turned wild, drowning out the Sports CS with loud boos and jeers, forcing him to cut his speech short. Video footage obtained by The African Watch shows angry attendees raising their hands in protest, signaling dissatisfaction with Murkomen, a close ally of President William Ruto.

Overpowered by the hostile reception, Murkomen exited the stage amid chants and shouting, avoiding further confrontation.

This incident adds to a growing trend of public discontent expressed through heckling against officials associated with the Kenya Kwanza administration.

On November 23, Senior Economic Advisor to President William Ruto, Moses Kuria, was ejected from a burial ceremony in Murang’a following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Kuria faced an irate crowd during the funeral service of Mark Gicheru, a Member of the County Assembly.

Similarly, on October 11, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and other United Democratic Alliance (UDA) officials were met with hostility in Bahati at a funeral service. Jeers erupted when Kihika mentioned President Ruto’s name, derailing her attempt to deliver a condolence message on his behalf.

The 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations in Juja also witnessed a similar outburst. During the event, chaos broke out when a Deputy County Commissioner began reading a speech from President Ruto. The audience jeered loudly, cutting the speech short.

The series of heckling incidents reflects growing public discontent with the Kenya Kwanza government. The impeachment of former Deputy President Gachagua and dissatisfaction with the country’s development trajectory are among the key factors fueling the backlash.

The Sports CS’s reception at the Korom Festival is the latest manifestation of this discontent, signaling continued tension between the administration and sections of the public.