Elgeiyo Marakwet Senator, Kipchumba Murkomen, has found himself in trouble with Kenyans after making a call to his county residents to travel home ahead of the census so that they can be counted from their place of birth.
According to the vocal legislator, the statistics acquired from the census exercise will play a key role in the plan of the county’s development agenda.
Murkomen posted on his Twitter page arguing that important government decisions like resources allocations, political representation, and development agenda will all be made based on the results of the census.
‘I urge the people and residents of Elgeiyo Marakwet to turn up on 24th and 25th and be counted at home. This census will play a key role for the next 10 years in resources allocations, political representation, and development agenda. Be present! Be loyal! Be Patriotic! Protect the Future!” read Kipchumba’s post.
To the people of Elgeyo Marakwet County please let’s turn up and be counted! #Censuskenya2019 pic.twitter.com/WcMhBurjMa
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) August 23, 2019
Murkomen’s advice comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, warning to politicians on Thursday against rallying Kenyans to travel to their rural homes.
The tough-talking CS claimed that he was aware of some of politicians plan of transport people to their places of birth for the census at the night of Friday.
Matiang’i: Serikali inafuatilia baadhi ya wanasiasa ambao wamekutana kupanga njama ya kuwahamisha watu kuelekea maeneo fulani kabla ya shughuli ya kuhesabu watu. #LeoMashinani pic.twitter.com/qutL9L2ruJ
— KTN News Alerts (@KTNNewsKE) August 22, 2019
Murkomen’s advice , however, did not go well with Kenyans who received it with a lot of criticism. A section of Kenyans further accused him of ‘politicizing’ the census event while ‘inciting’ residents against Matiangi’s order.
Here are some of the reactions;
Turn up where at Kimwarer ama Arror? I thought people are counted in their homes
— Domnicneto🇰🇪 (@LochNeto) August 23, 2019
You think everyone stay indoors like you, majority of these guys are in forest looking after livestock
— ken kips (@KenKenche) August 24, 2019
Turn up where and matiangi amesena watu wakae home . English my friend @ItsMutai @blakaende2
— Simba (@Simba08735399) August 23, 2019
Politicians will be politicians. Am not boarding cz watu ya chief were hired; no transparency then even if revenue is given to county those who benefit are employees and Governor’s concubines. Wacha nilime shamba yangu adi usiku uko msituni!
— gilbert cheboi (@GCheboi) August 24, 2019
Hii sio kura ati tuna turn up..let them find us wherever we are
— NNiale (@nwasi) August 23, 2019
I thought the enumerators are the ones who are supposed to turn up? pic.twitter.com/PUHYNyPzlA
— 𝙷𝚊𝚐𝚐𝚊𝚒 𝙰𝚕𝚕𝚊𝚗 (@allhaggai) August 23, 2019
Last mile was sham now watu wata hesabiwa kwa giza chochole!! Sijui niseme nini haki…….
— Prophetess Deborah Jeptoo(Daughter of Zion) (@DebyTapkutuny) August 23, 2019