Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has attributed his taste for high-end luxury fashion to Transport CS Davis Chirchir, describing him as a key influence in his sense of style.
Speaking on Thursday during the funeral service of Mzee Edwin Koech, Chirchir’s father, Murkomen said his colleague had played an unexpected role in shaping his “polished” public image, including his preference for designer clothing and accessories that had previously drawn public attention.
Murkomen recalled an early encounter during the formation of the Jubilee coalition, saying Chirchir once drove him to a political rally in Nakuru in a high-end vehicle, an experience he said left a lasting impression.
“I was wondering, who is this polished man who is dressing very well?” Murkomen said, addressing President William Ruto. “The truth is, when it was in the news that I was wearing certain watches and shoes, Davis came to see me and apologised, saying, ‘I apologise for leading you into temptation.’ He was the cause of all those.”
He added that Chirchir has consistently presented himself as “organised and sophisticated,” describing him as a personal benchmark for style.
Murkomen’s remarks came amid recent public scrutiny of his fashion choices, which have frequently sparked debate on social media and in political discourse.
He has previously been associated with high-value items, including a Hublot Classic Fusion watch estimated at more than Sh1 million, as well as Gucci sneakers, premium loafers, and Stefano Ricci accessories, all of which have drawn criticism in the context of broader economic strain and government austerity messaging.
The CS has in the past maintained that some of the items predated his current government role.
The comments were made during the burial of Mzee Edwin Koech, 89, held in Kapsuywa, Nandi County, an event attended by President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and several Cabinet Secretaries and leaders.
Mzee Koech was eulogised as an educator and community pillar who contributed significantly to the region’s social development.
“We have lost a visionary leader who invested heavily in education and the church. His legacy is seen in the calibre of children he raised for this nation,” President Ruto mourned earlier in a social media post.
The ceremony drew senior government leadership and particularly those in the high echelons of Rift Valley leadership.
Throughout the week, CS Chirchir has been hosting government leaders, most of whom visited to condole with him at his residence.