Talk of Town: Big man at Kenya Kwanza linked to illegal foreign recruitment, MCAs shortchanged and defections looming

Nairobi’s Middle East war fiasco

Which way should Kenya go when the US and Israel fight with Iran? Talk of Town has been told of how diplomats in Nairobi and beyond scrambled to explain the President’s stance on the war, after he condemned Iran’s retaliation but not the US/Israel’s original attacks.

Officially, Kenya says it doesn’t take sides and is opposed to the escalation of violence. But the gulf in communication between State House and the Foreign Ministry was clear in their messaging: Both the Cabinet Secretary and his Principal Secretary took a neutral position, calling for de-escalation. Behind the scenes, Kenyan diplomats had to scramble to explain the country’s position.

Big man under pressure

As Kenyan authorities move to check the rising cases of human trafficking and illegal recruitment to a foreign army, one senior government official is not resting easy after investigations led to him. The big man, once influential in the Kenya Kwanza alliance, is now facing isolation as authorities express frustration that he may be standing in the way of the law.

Sleuths say suspects in custody have adversely mentioned close associates of the top official for running recruitment agencies that were not licensed, but which supposedly received his protection. Time will tell how long he survives in government.

Why ODM official wants zoning

Why is an ODM official adamant on the push for zoning in their talks with UDA? Insiders in the party have revealed the official has already lined up favourite candidates in all the elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls.

The official, according to the insiders, is busy planning succession politics in the party as others are focused only on the broad based government arrangement. The highly placed official is worried that if the zoning plan is scuttled, then the quest to take over the party will be in ruins. Some of the party members have already learnt the officials’ intention and have now made a U-turn in their push for zoning.

MCAs shortchanged?

A group of MCAs in a county facing a leadership crisis have complained about being shortchanged in a deal in order to calm the raging storm. Talk of Town has learnt that a generous package was allegedly dispatched by the county boss through key assembly leaders in a bid to persuade ward representatives to abandon a looming storm.

But the arrangement appears to have opened fresh wounds rather than helped to close ranks. Several MCAs now claim that while the package was substantial on paper, what eventually reached them was only a fraction of the promised share. Some legislators accuse intermediaries of pocketing part of the bounty. 

Defections looming

Is a massive defection looming in one of the political outfits? Well, Talk of Town has learnt that a number of MPs in the camp are disgruntled after it emerged that a section of those in the outfit are plotting to form a new political party.

A female legislator was heard saying she cannot be in an outfit that plans to back an opposition presidential candidate in the 2027 General Election. The lawmaker was heard complaining that they started well by capturing the ground, but are now losing momentum with fears that the main sponsor is also withdrawing his financial support.

Zoning dilemma

A group of MPs who chair strategic committees in the National Assembly are now worried over the zoning push in the political alliance between ODM and UDA. The lawmakers fear that the move, if successfully executed, may lock them out from vying for and losing the lucrative positions they are currently holding in the House and are sure of retaining them in the next parliament.

According to the MPs, the President, in collaboration with some State mandarins, may opt to give lucrative committee positions to those from ODM, something they are not comfortable with. They are now planning to press all the available buttons to ensure the push does not succeed.

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