Foreign Affairs PS Sing'oei delves into 'Rwanda is an autocracy' gaffe

Murkomen, in an interview on Monday, said that Kenya's transport system cannot be compared with Rwanda's which has been streamlined to operate fully under the guidelines of their laws.

For policies in Kenya to work, Murkomen added, they go through multiple-stage scrutiny unlike in Rwanda where the buck stops with the President.

"Rwanda is not like Kenya. We must live with certain expectations as a country that comes with democracy. Rwanda is an autocracy and there whatever the president says is the law," Murkomen told Citizen TV.

"Here every decision you make in this country you must go through a proposal then Parliament then public participation."

Chiming into the now contentious matter, PS Sing'oei noted that the nation acknowledges the diverse principles in other jurisdictions within the East African Community (EAC).

"Each country within the EAC has a unique democratic praxis suited to their contexts. We celebrate this diversity of expressions and institutional arrangements," wrote Sing'oei on X.

"Rwanda is a key brotherly Nation and the Head of State of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, is an iconic leader whose bold leadership is admired at home and abroad."

Murkomen's sentiments have sparked uproar from a section of Kenyans among them city lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi who lectured Murkomen for ignoring diplomatic etiquette.

He further urged Sing'oei to organise a workshop for government officials to help them learn the principle of upholding camraderie between nations.

"CS Murkomen can't attack a sovereign friendly state without provocation and disparage President Paul Kagame just like that. This is embarrassing," wrote Ahmednasir on X.

"CSs must be taken through a crash course, teaching them the responsibilities that come with their new constitutional offices! Very soon, Kenya will be a pariah state in the hood!"

CS Murkomen was swift to make a rejoinder on Tuesday as he clarified that he endorses the leadership style in Rwanda which he says has aided them in advancing development in their country.

"My friend Ahmednasir I have expressed my admiration for Rwanda’s style of leadership which has made it possible for them to build good infrastructure including a new airport and enforce discipline & order on their roads. It’s not just Rwanda, countries like UAE, Morocco, Saudi Arabia among others have a style of leadership that has delivered great success to their people because their leaders have the power to make firm decisions," said Murkomen. 

In his view, Kenya has a different leadership model "with many positives", adding that it is "too bureaucratic" and takes eons to implement policies that ultimately affect the nation and its citizens.

Murkomen told the lawyer to stop defending Rwanda and instead advocate for change in his country.

"Help us deal with for example court orders that award a contractor 10B for claims and interests for a contract worth 2B or a a road that stalls for 10yrs because a competing bidder is still waiting a decision of the court," said Murkomen.

"Cry not for Rwanda, they are doing well. Cry for your country."