Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen's brief interaction with a job seeker during a routine visit to the National Transport and Safety Authority has sparked widespread outrage in Kenya.
Captured on video, the CS is seen dismissing the individual's plea for employment with a curt "No, no... Hatupeani kazi hapa," igniting a flurry of backlash on social media platforms, particularly X.
Influential voices, including COFEK's Stephen Mutoro, have called for an apology and action from Murkomen, contrasting his behavior with the empathetic leadership style President William Ruto advocates.
This incident has amplified concerns about the government's commitment to uplifting 'hustlers'—a central theme of President Ruto's administration—and the need for public officials to embody the values they preach.
"@kipmurkomen blasts a job-seeker. That is the whole difference of humility between President @WilliamsRuto and some pretenders to the throne. Will Mr Murkomen repeat the same if he was in Elgeyo Marakwet? Sad!" he wrote.
"Too much power corrupts, absolutely. Mr Murkomen, the other day you were begging for jobs like some of us. Please treat hustlers with dignity. Arrogance won't help. After all, power is transient..."
Mutoro also suggested that the CS should offer the jobless man an apology. He also asked the public to help him identify the man in order to help him.
"Please publicly apologise to that poor and genuine hustler soul by making him your office assistant. You defamed him. You should have even suggested to revert back to him," he said.
"Anyone who has the contacts of the man Murkomen blasted? I would be happy to find him something small to do - if he agrees..."