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Senators clash over ‘mystery’ woman
The Senate building in Nairobi.
Two senators clashed during a foreign trip over a woman whose job description in the corridors of power is not well known. The woman, who frequently moves within the Senate premises, has become the subject of whispers, with insiders describing her as influential and untouchable. There is little clarity about her official role. She is said to enjoy access in parliamentary spaces. Senators say privately that she has become a source of discomfort. They claim she has a way of worming her way into their spaces, with some accusing her of making demands that border on extortion.
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MP’s underwhelming cow gift
A lawmaker who is eyeing a higher seat shocked many when he donated a cow, described by locals as malnourished, at a funeral. The villagers were left talking of what has become of the MP who is believed to have deep pockets and resources. Whereas his peers in Parliament and the government dug deeper into their pockets, the lawmaker only sent representatives to present the animal to the bereaved. The funeral was of a respected elder in the backyard of the MP and there was high expectation that he would contribute generously.
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Lobbyist loses favour with office
A foreign lobbyist who once had Kenyan leaders on his touch dial has found himself chasing them for meetings. The man – who had become some kind of “honorary” citizen – has lost favour, unable to push through policy changes that could favour his organisation. One of the biggest setbacks was when MPs refused to pass a motion that would have granted him leeway to avoid prosecution. Our mole says the man has left the country in protest, hoping those who knew and invited him to Nairobi will call back. Perhaps the local polity has moved on.
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Betting MCA squanders allowances
A second-term MCA has become the subject of chatter. The ward representative has developed a fixation with “hard” substances and betting, habits spilling into official duty. He slips out of sittings to corners within the assembly precincts, sometimes returning distracted. He is said to remain glued to his phone, placing bets even as proceedings continue. Sources say the MCA has lost huge portions of his allowances to gambling and borrows from colleagues to sustain the habit. Matters came to a head recently when he became unruly and damaged windows at county offices.
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Two compete for President’s ear
Are two leaders who were planning to bolt from the government now out to compete for the President’s attention? According to our mole, the two are serious foot soldiers of the “two-term” brigade and are shouting at the top of their voices to be heard by the big man. Their plan to carve out their 2027 political niche was foiled when a section of lawmakers they had been courting reported them to the powerful office. The two are now attempting to get back to the good books. Only time will tell if the retreat is tactical or real as 2027 approaches.
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PS turns into Parliament broker
Has a principal secretary in a sensitive docket turned into a broker in Parliament? Word has it that whenever summoned by any parliamentary committee, the man approaches the powers-that-be and bribes his way out of not appearing. The man first writes a formal letter stating why he will not make it just for records, then turns into reaching out to members of a particular committee to stand down the matter. The trend has seen the man miss several committees in the National Assembly and Senate, leaving chairpersons with a headache on what to report back to the House in respect to the matters being handled.
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