Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, handed over the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports to Salim Mvurya.

Murkomen was moved from Sports to the Ministry of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration following a Cabinet reshuffle done by President William Ruto in December 2024. Before the changes, Mvurya was in charge of the Trade docket.

While handing over the ministry, CS Murkomen outlined some of his significant achievements in his short stint at the Youth Affairs, Creative Economy docket.

According to Murkomen, he pushed for the review of the Sports Act and fast-tracking of the Youth Development Bill which he noted were key for nurturing and developing sporting talents in the country.

He highlighted the formation of a team to tackle the cases of gender-based violence in sports among his achievements in the docket.

Further, Murkomen noted that he ensured Kenya was ready to host both the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2025 and the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON). Accompanied by CS Mvurya, Murkomen toured Nyayo National Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani which he insisted are ready to host the two continental showpieces.

“Together, we achieved many milestones, such as the review of the Sports Act and fast-tracking of the Youth Development Bill.

“We also constituted a team to tackle gender-based violence in sports and made concerted efforts to push the construction and renovation of sports infrastructure to host the CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 tournaments. Our tour today of Nyayo National Stadium and the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani with Hon. Mvurya gave us the confidence that our country is ready to co-host the two tournaments,” Murkomen’s statement read in part.

Murkomen added that he was proud of the changes he instituted which helped unlock the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections where Hussein Mohammed and his deputy MacDonald Mariga emerged victorious taking over from Nick Mwendwa.

“Our appointments to the National Youth Council and Advisory Board, and the National Youth Council Elections Steering Committee and Secretariat set the stage for elections to the council which have not been held for 12 years. Our efforts also unlocked the long-overdue FKF elections,” Murkomen explained.

Murkomen’s cabinet positions

After Ruto ascended into power, he tapped into Murkomen’s expertise to lead the Transport Ministry. Murkomen who was then elected as Elgeyo Marakwet Senator resigned and accepted the job offer.

For over two years, Murkomen led the docket before the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests rocked the country.

Pressured by demonstrators’ demands, Ruto dismissed all his cabinet with Murkomen being among the victims.

However, he got a second chance when Ruto reconstituted his Cabinet and picked him to lead the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports.

Following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the subsequent picking of Kithure Kindiki as his replacement, the Ministry of Interior was left vacant.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi stepped in acting capacity for a while before President Ruto picked CS Murkomen to take over the docket.