Courtesy of Luyali Alumasa MURKOMEN HAS THE RIGHT TO BE A SYCOPHANT BUT HE HAS BETRAYED US. A few years ago when Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen joined Moi University’s Faculty of law he immediately captured the passion and attention of all at the School of Law. I, being so passionate about this country decided to find out more about this new lecturer who was on the lips of everyone. He had come in to join the ranks of great Constitutional Law scholars like Mutakha Kangu and experts like Prof. Tom Ojienda. Though he had no tittle to his name like Doctor or Professor, Murkomen soon became the darling of all students. He was Ngungi wa Thiongo, Wole Soyinka, Ken Saro Wiwa, Katama Mkangi, James Orengo, Raila Odinga and above all Murkomen ; a patriot, a Christian, a great teacher, a reformist. Brilliant I first interacted with him during an International Dispute Resolution class. In my first meeting, I sat at the back listening to a man whom I thought would transform this nation. I remember telling my friends that this would be the man who would make Kenya one. It was during this time that the Grand Coalition Government led by Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga was facing major challenges. Murkomen reasoned with us. He made us understand what good governance was about. He reminded us of the need for a united country free from tribalism, nepotism, corruption and impunity. He made us believe that the need for an equal society was more important than the air we breathed. He did not just see the problems that bedeviled the country, he offered solutions. Here we were, from both political divides united in auctioning our innocent minds to Murkomen. We did not know we were but guinea pigs. That we provided the perfect forum for him to test his politics of deceit. Soon we would all be led to the gallows of betrayal. The devil fell down from heaven with lies; Murkomen had come down from America with two degrees and more. When he first appeared on national television everyone watched. We participated by commenting and supporting his views. I remember one time a senior advocate and the President of The East African Law Society, James Aggrey Mwamu asking on Facebook ‘Who is this brilliant man called Murkomen?’ I proudly told him, he is my supervisor. Everybody felt associated with him. Some even felt proud to share names with him. A few days ago, Murkomen had a Home Coming Ceremony. We who always looked forward to him leading this country did not attend. Not that our attendance would have been so significant but we were not going to celebrate with someone who had betrayed us. This is not to mean we did not value his right to choose to whom he should sell his political soul to; we respect his right to be a sycophant. Every Kenyan politician nowadays owes allegiance to some tribal or political demigod. Gone are the days when leaders were patriotic to the Kenyan dream. Now, even spiritual leaders have forgotten that their King is not based in State House but heaven or a temple or a shrine somewhere. Now, these very leaders care more about who ‘pays’ tithe than who offers tithe. Those who pay tithe have their prayers offered in public rallies while kneeling on cushions while those who offer tithe are forced to endure hard benches and floors in places of worship. When Murkomen joined the Faculty of Law, the clamor for a new constitution had reached fever pitch. As his tribesmen followed Ruto, Murkomen and other progressive minded individuals stood by Kenya. Having been oriented by Mutakha Kangu, Murkomen became the voice of devolution. He overshadowed Mutakha by being more visible in the media. Most of those who were supervised by him chose to do dissertations on devolution. He wanted an equal society. He painted this dream on our innocent minds but most important he made us believe he is independent minded, bold and patriotic. I chose to research on the criminal justice system and my interactions with Murkomen during my undertaking of the dissertation were the best anyone would wish to have with a supervisor. He was always available and he demonstrated great restraint when you failed to meet deadlines or went contrary to his instructions. This was a man, different and above the rest. He was humble, a rare quality in lecturers. Most often undermine their students. Murkomen let you think as long as your thoughts could be fortified by well researched sources. This way a student developed as a researcher. Whenever he found research materials that were relevant to your dissertation he would readily forward them you. All in all he was keen on ensuring you did your best. At a time when we were transiting into a new constitutional dispensation, it was important that the discourse on the constitution, especially on devolution and constitutionalism, be kept alive. We were changing from a system where everything depended on personalities and not institutions. The relationship between institutions, set up by the constitution, with each other and the people is important in advancing constitutionalism. Although individuals bring their personal charisma to institutions, such institutions should always be bigger than the individuals and they should live beyond the tenure of the individuals. Institutions are meant to serve the interests of the citizenry and not the persons running them. Government is about service to the people. Stronger institutions mean good governance, expansion of democracy, better enjoyment of constitutional rights and development of a sound economy. With little or no civic education having been carried out by relevant authorities, we students of Murkomen, having been sanctioned by our new found hero, engaged in debates with the community. I remember one time financing a meeting in Kakamega jointly with my friends to educate the public on devolution and the new constitution generally. With all the challenges we managed to reach hundreds of people and planted the seed of hope in their hearts. Then Murkomen declared interest in the Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial seat and all changed. My people have many sayings about Khanambu, the chameleon. Amongst all animals, Khanambu is unique. It may be slow, calm and composed but its eyes see far and its ability to change colours make it very cunning. Now if you grabbed Khanambu while it is on a green leaf you may think you have grabbed a green animal but once it is in your hands it changes to the colour of your hands. An animal that can change to be like you and change the next minute to be someone else surely is dangerous. You cannot trust Khanambu and you should never trust Khanambu. You may dare it to a race thinking it is slow and when you dash off it jumps on your hand and you think you have a heavy hand only for it to bite you before you get to the finish line and as you fall hypnotized by its poison it walks slowly and wins the race. Has Murkomen been a student of Khanambu? First, when the quest for more allocation to the county government began, he was on the forefront. We were even shocked that he was becoming like our hand again. He was like us who believed that the backbone of the new constitution was devolution and counties were meant to help spur development across the country regardless of the ethnic or political inclinations of the people in different areas. We saw no logic why a farmer in Chepalungu would plant maize, weed, harvest, grind into flour and cook ugali then take the ugali to Nairobi for some bureaucrat to decide when, how and what amount the farmer should eat. That is theft! Devolution insures that people have a right to decide how resources found within their areas of residence are managed and exploited for their benefit and that of the country. Devolution is for the progress of all Kenyans. Murkomen was now telling us devolution meant that Raila Odinga gets into power. He has learnt fast; turning the hope of his constituents into fear like all politicians do. It is through fear that most tyrants rule. He had to create fear and the object of fear was Raila. He told us of how his people were scared and were asking him about Raila’s devolution. I listened to him on TV and shook my head for a week earlier I was in his county speaking to local people about resource allocation and the people I managed to interrogate were all for more funds to counties. As we were trying to forgive him thinking he may have been confusing his name and character with that of Kuttuny, Murkomen is at it again!! Having taught International Dispute Resolution and Conflict of Laws, Murkomen stands at a better position to oppose any plans to pull Kenya out of the ICC. I remember vividly one day during an International Dispute Resolution class when he told us boldly that ‘peace would not come by Uhuru and Ruto shaking hands’ He believed in the quest for justice at the ICC. He knew that the victims of PEV would never get justice in Kenya due to corruption and impunity. When you see people celebrate that cases are tumbling because witnesses have died mysteriously or are too fearful to testify it confirms this. We believed him, we became his disciples. When he multiplied the bread of a better Kenya we helped him serve. Then he crucified himself on the cross of sycophancy and left us with an unholy spirit of betrayal. Yes, Murkomen trounced Biwott, the Total Man .When a bull wins over another and becomes champion my people say it is ‘the bad one’. Murkomen is to Jubilee what Biwott was to Kanu. Yes, you may see Biwott High School, that shows the Total Man was passionate about the society, but do not be shocked if you see Nyayo House renamed Murkomen House. An ‘educated Biwott’ is more dangerous and lethal. He is ‘the bad one’ We have been betrayed but we respect his right to be a sycophant
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 11:55:15 +0000
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