KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H

DECLARATION OF A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

What an outstanding performance from the @APSBOMETFC with yet another win against AFC Leopards. Congratulations, lads. We climb 3 points up. As Patron, I couldn’t be prouder of the players, the management and most importantly, our loyal fans for the support throughout the journey. Let’s now finish big. Kama kawaida, nitacheza kama mimi. #TheBlackBerets

After our Subukia-Bahati Youths and Women empowerment event, I interacted with Jomo Kenyatta Senior School students. I encouraged them to work hard in their studies, keep away from drugs and substance abuse, and grow into responsible and dependable adults who will contribute meaningfully to the growth of our nation.

Through deliberate and targeted interventions, the Kenya Kwanza Administration is creating a favourable environment for start-ups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive. We are also empowering those at the bottom of the economic pyramid through inclusive economic support initiatives. At Jomo Kenyatta Boys Senior School Grounds in Nakuru County, I was honoured to grace the Bahati-Subukia Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative. Pioneered by Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika, the initiative complements the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and supports our security programmes by creating sustainable alternative income-generating opportunities. Present were Governors Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), MPs Irene Njoki (Bahati), David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), Erick Wamumbi (Mathira), Elijah Kururia (Gatundu North), Lydia Haika (Taita-Taveta), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri), Veronica Maina (Nominated Senator), Falhada Dekow Iman (EALA), Nakuru County Commissioner Dr. Loyford Kibaara and MCAs among other leaders.

The National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) has revolutionized access to quality education at the grassroots through the development of education infrastructure and bursaries for needy students. This morning, I was honored to be in Kamariny Ward in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, where I presided over the commissioning of a tuition block at Sergoit Comprehensive School and joined learners, the community, and fellow leaders in marking the school's 70th anniversary. I called on parents to play a leading role in monitoring the academic progress of their children and directed the NGAOs to work closely with schools' administrators to ensure schools are free from drugs and alcohol. I commend the area MP Hon. Adams Kipsanai, Constituency NG-CDF Committee and the school's management for prudently utilizing NG-CDF to build a modern and magnificent tuition block. Distinguished guests present included Governor Wisley Rotich, Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, MPs William Kisang (Senator), Caroline Ng'elechei (County MP), Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), Prof. Phylis Bartoo (Moiben), MCAs led by Speaker Lawi Kibire, County Director of Education John Kemei, BoM Chair Rev. A. K. Kemboy, Schools Principal Beatrice Tilitei, among other leaders and government officials.

Eng. Anne Cheboi was a consummate professional, an astute entrepreneur and a great community mobiliser who was depended upon by many. I received the news of her passing with profound shock. A dear friend, I benefited from Anne’s professional counsel when I served in the Ministry of Roads and Transport and she was a very active member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, where she pushed for various reforms in the construction sector. I also benefited immensely from Anne’s entrepreneurial ideas. A public-spirited personality, she tried her hand at politics, when she vied for the Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial seat upon my exit. Though unsuccessful in the Senate race, she continued serving the public in other spheres until her passing. Fare thee well, my friend. You will be missed dearly. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. May Anne’s soul rest in eternal peace.

The Cherangany Hills ecosystem is a vast, scenic landscape teeming with biodiversity and water resources. It is one of Kenya’s most critical water towers, supporting millions of people across the Rift Valley and beyond. Spanning 414,928 hectares across Trans-Nzoia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, West Pokot and Uasin Gishu counties, the ecosystem includes 22 gazetted forests covering nearly 100,000 hectares and feeds more than 22 major rivers flowing into Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana. Unregulated human activities in the ecosystem, however, have led to immense degradation. The consequences of the degradation in the region include the deadly Chesongoch landslide disaster of October last year, and similar tragedies in the area over the years. To restore and conserve this vital ecosystem, we conceived a KSh 15B, ten-year programme dubbed the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH). This initiative is community-driven and supported by partners. I am greatly humbled to be its patron. Today, in Tebe Grounds, Kapyego Ward in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, we were honored to have the Deputy President H.E Prof. @_KithureKindiki as our Chief Guest during the official launch of the CHERISH programme and to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026. We appreciate all the partners and stakeholders who have supported us in this noble cause. Some of the dignitaries present included Dr. Deborah Barasa (CS- Environment, Climate Change and Forestry), Governors Wisley Rotich, Jonathan Chelilim and Simon Kachapin, Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek, MPs William Kisang (Senator), Caroline Ng'elechei (County MP), Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East), Timothy Kipchumba (Marakwet West), Adams Kipsanai (Keiyo North), and Dr. Gideon Kimaiyo (Keiyo South). Also with us were PSs Dr. Eng. Festus Ng'eno (Environment and Climate Change), Gitonga Mugambi (Forestry), Dr. Chris Kiptoo (National Treasury), Dr. Belio Kipsang (Immigration and Citizens Services), Dr. Salome Beacco (Correctional Services), Joel Arumonyang (Public Works), Harry Kimtai (Mining), Aurelia Rono ( Parliamentary Affairs), Chair of OKM Foundation Gladys Kipchumba, Elgeyo-Marakwet County Commissioner David Kosgei, and MCAs led by Speaker Lawi Kibire, among other leaders and government officials.

We are at Tebe Grounds, Kapyego Ward, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, for the official launch of the Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) and to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026. We are honored to have the Deputy President H.E. Prof @_KithureKindiki as the Chief Guest. CHERISH is an initiative to restore the Cherangany Hills ecosystem, spearheaded by the OKM Foundation in partnership with stakeholders and communities across the Cherangany region. The programme is aligned with national climate action and environmental conservation efforts, including H.E. the President’s 15 Billion Tree Growing Programme.

CHERISH is about ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, community empowerment, peaceful coexistence, sustainable livelihoods, education, sports and culture.

The Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) initiative is anchored on 5 components: ecosystem restoration and climate resilience, community empowerment, education and knowledge management, promoting sports and talent development and resource mobilisation. The four counties that make up the Cherangany Hills ecosystem have historically produced world-beating athletics stars. As we gear up for the official launch of the CHERISH programme, we saw it fit to have a race to empower our local athletes, promote talent, foster peace and cohesion, and involve the community in environmental conservation. To mark the occasion, we planted trees on the edge of Embobut Forest, which is one of the 22 gazetted forests in the Cherangany Hills ecosystem. Congratulations to Catherine Relin, Vivian Cheruiyot, and Sharon Cherotich for emerging first, second and third respectively in the inaugural Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Peace 10KM women's race. In the men's 10KM, Mathew Kimeli emerged winner with Caleb Majasi and Rodgers Plimo coming in second and third place. Hongera kwao. The other results were as follows: Women's 5KM race 1. Philaries Chepkorir 2. Dorcas Yego 3. Joan Korir Men's 5KM race 1. Timothy 2. Rodgers Maiyo 3. Oscar Chesir Well done to all the winners and participants. We were honoured to have Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Amb. Dr. Ida Odinga as our Chief Guest and multiple world and Olympic champion Dr. Faith Kipyegon as our Race Ambassador. Other distinguished guests were my colleague Dr. Deborah Barasa, the CS for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Governor Wisley Rotich, MPs William Kisang, Caroline Ng'elechei and Titus Lotee, PS Dr. Eng. Festus Ng'eno (Environment and Climate Change), OKM Foundation Chairperson Gladys Kipchumba, and MCAs among other guests. Other government officials present included County Commissioners David Kosgei (Elgeyo-Marakwet) and David Saruni (West Pokot), among others.

We have arrived at Tebe Grounds, Elgeyo Marakwet County, for the Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Race. We are honoured to have the distinquished presence of the Chief Guest, Amb. Dr. Ida Odinga, my colleague Dr. Deborah Barasa (CS for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry), Governor Wisley Rotich, MPs William Kisang, Caroline Ng'elechei and Titus Lotee ,PS Dr. Eng. Festus Ng'eno (Environment and Climate Change), multiple world and race ambassador Olympic champion Dr. Faith Kipyegon, Tegla Lorupe, marathoner John Korir, County Commissioner David Kosgey and OKM Foundation Chairperson Gladys Kipchumba, and MCAs among other guests.

We have arrived at Tebe Grounds, Elgeyo Marakwet County, for the Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Race. We are joined by Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNEP, Dr. Ida Odinga and other leaders.

Cherangany Hills Peace and Conservation Race is underway at Tebe Grounds, Kapyego Ward, Elgeyo-Marakwet County. The race marks the beginning of a series of events that will culminate in the launch of Cherangany Hills Ecosystem Restoration for Livelihood Improvement, Sustainability and Harmony (CHERISH) programme, which will be presided over by the Deputy President, H.E Prof. Kithure Kindiki, tomorrow in the same venue. The launch coincides with the commemoration of the International Day for Biodiversity 2026 under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development.” CHERISH is a long-term ecosystem restoration initiative spearheaded by the OKM Foundation in partnership with stakeholders and communities across the Cherangany region, which spans Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties. The Chief Guest of today's events is Mama Dr. Ida Odinga, Kenya’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Congratulations, once again, @APSBOMETFC on your big win against Bandari FC today. A streak of 9 games unbeaten is massive. As a Patron, I’m incredibly proud of you all. Kama kawaida, nitacheza kama mimi.

The Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit will significantly enhance security and public order in the city and its surroundings. The Unit will strengthen response to emerging security challenges, improve inter-agency collaboration, and promote cooperation between the police and the public. This morning, I received a progress report from the technical committee working on establishing the Unit. I am gratified that the team is learning from some of the best metropolitan police units in the world in coming up with the administrative structure, service standing orders and standard operating procedures. Present were National Government Coordination PS Ahmed Abdisalan, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, and representatives from the Nairobi County Government, among other senior Government officials.

The public sector transport strike has been suspended to allow for further negotiations. This follows a meeting this morning between the Government and representatives of the public sector transport stakeholders. I thank the sector leadership for their cooperation and strong sense of patriotism. The Government remains committed to resolving the cost of fuel challenge and cushioning Kenyans from the high cost of living. Present were Energy and Petroleum CS Hon. @OpiyoWandayi Wandayi and Nairobi City Governor Hon. @SakajaJohnson.

UPDATE ON THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECTOR STAKEHOLDERS

Our Constitution protects the right to demonstrate and picket. It is quite unfortunate, however, that today’s protests, which were called by public transport operators, were once again hijacked by rogue political actors with the sole aim of furthering their selfish political agenda. Besides the disruption of transport in some parts of the country, criminal elements perpetrated violence, looting, and vandalized public and private property. It is regrettable that lives were lost in the melee. This evening, alongside PS Dr. Raymond Omollo and top security chiefs, we condemned the violence and assured the country that our security agencies are working hard to ensure normalcy returns in the affected parts of the country. To the leaders who have been profiling Kenyans of different political opinion and calling them traitors we shall hold you personally responsible for the lives lost and property destroyed as result of your statements. You will be answerable now and in the future.

Statement on acts of lawlessness witnessed in today's protests.