Baringo peace tournament ended after youths protested losing a game – Murkomen

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has broken silence after Baringo youths brought his peace tournament to a premature end.

According to Murkomen, the event whose videos have been going viral on social media ended because a section of youths protested losing a game.

The OKM Peace Cup tournament was held in collaboration with the Baringo County Governor's Super Cup Finals at the Kabarnet showgrounds in Baringo.

"I was in Baringo to support Governor Cheboi in the County’s Governor’s Cup, which is a combined effort with the OKM Peace Cup. We enjoyed the women's game where Kabarnet Starlets beat Ndambul FC by 3 goals to nil.

"The men's finals were postponed after Baringo Youth FC from Kabarnet, Baringo Central, protested their loss against Chemogoch FC from Mogotio," he said.

The CS said while officials tried their best to resolve the situation, the Baringo Central team was not satisfied with the attempts, hence the decision to end the peace tournament.

Murkomen explained that the Ruto that the rowdy youths are heard chanting that he must go, is an official and not President William Ruto.

He added that he hoped the matter would be settled soon to enable them to return to Baringo to watch the final match that did not proceed.

"The officials did their best to resolve the matter, but the Baringo central team were not satisfied. Being the home team, and with their fans being more than half of the stadium, it was impossible to proceed with the match. The players and the fans poured their frustrations on FKF officials, especially one Mr. Ruto, whom they felt, was not addressing their concerns. I appreciate all the volunteers who have so far made the OKM Peace Cup a success," he said.

"We look forward to the finals in Kapenguria. I believe Governor Cheboi, with the local leaders, will resolve the small matter soon, and we shall return to Baringo to watch the men’s final and award all the winners."

In a video seen by the Star, the CS was having a hard time addressing the youths at Baringo stadium.

He was in the company of Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, among other local leaders. Cheboi was later forced to announce an end to the tournament since the youths could not be contained.