Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen has admitted to the public that he owns several expensive fashion items, and that he is planning to stop this vanity affair.
Murkomen, who has faced criticism for allegedly possessing extremely costly items, clarified on Monday that some of the price estimates given by Kenyans for his watch and shoes are exaggerated.
However, he admitted to owning some of the most expensive watches, including one valued at Sh900,000. Some of the expensive watches he has been spotted wearing include a Hublot Classic Fusion Ceramic King Gold watch and a Rolex Yatch Master-37 Rose.
“The price of the watch I wear is very expensive, to tell the truth. But it is not worth the price people are speculating about on social media. And it is because it was sold to me by my friend,” Murkomen said in an interview with Obinna TV.
A quick check on the Hublot website shows that the Hublot Classic Fusion Ceramic King Gold watch goes for USD 14,200 (Ksh 1,800,801 as of today’s exchange rate).

“There are two watches that have gone viral on social media. The first one I bought was not as expensive as they said. The second one, a friend of mine, came to me because he saw the other on social media, and said, ‘I sell watches. Do you want me to sell you a Rolex?’ I said yes, why not. He sold it to me at a third (30 percent) of the price being claimed on social media. He even gave me time to pay in installments.”

Murkomen also revealed that his most expensive shoes retail between Sh70,000 and Sh80,000.

He also owns a belt priced between Sh40,000 and Sh50,000. “I don’t have to wear two belts in two years; one belt is enough. Just buy one belt for Sh50,000 that is quality and which has black and brown sides that you can alternate when wearing,” he explained.
Regarding ties, the CS mentioned he has a collection ranging from Sh15,000 to Sh20,000 each. “In life, there are things that are vanity that you find yourself ending up buying,” he noted.
Beyond just fashion, the close ally of President Ruto also uses a Mont Blanc John F. Kennedy Special Edition Fountain Pen in his office to sign off documents and impose his authority onto official government documents.

A quick check online on the Mont Blanc website shows that the pen costs USD 1,225 (Ksh 155,351), excluding taxes and shipping.
Murkomen acknowledged receiving concerns from Kenyans questioning his penchant for expensive items. He pledged to reduce his indulgence in luxuries to allow Kenyans to focus on his key responsibilities and to remain accountable to the people he serves.
“I appreciate the comments from Kenyans asking why I am wearing expensive watches and shoes. And it is true. Had I invested it in the money markets to buy bonds, maybe it would have earned interest,” he said.
The CS added that whenever he goes shopping with his family, he is more likely to divert from buying crucial items like food, and find himself spending resources on shoes – his weakness.
“I want to tell all Kenyans who faulted me for wearing those watches that that is my weakness, and I am willing to correct myself. If a watch or shoe is going to distract the people I serve from the key things that I must be held accountable for, I have said to my friends that the watches can stay.”