Talk of Town: Inside opposition leader’s mole hunt

Two PSs go under the radar

It’s been a bad Easter weekend for several government officials after news spread that the Energy Principal Secretary and others had been arrested over a suspected oil industry heist. The officials later resigned yesterday. Amid anxiety over who else was on the list, a number of them cut short their planned trips upcountry, while two other PSs went into hiding upon learning that detectives were widening their investigation to include others who may have been involved. The PSs in question are directly or indirectly involved in the government-to-government fuel import arrangement. They will only breathe a sigh of relief when those in custody are charged without them being asked to record statements.

********
Paranoid political party leader

A prominent opposition politician is reportedly growing more and more paranoid by the day in the belief that the State has planted moles to sabotage him. While the man appears confident in his public engagements and dismissive of government moves, our sources say that in private he trusts only a handful of people with confidential information. So bad is the situation that he no longer even trusts some top officials in his party, who could soon bolt out in frustration as they barely have details of planned activities.

********
Big man wants enhanced SHA cover

A high-profile politician who once held an influential office wants the Social Health Authority (SHA) to enhance his cover. The man, who has not had kind words for the current administration, wants the same to be done for his immediate family, arguing that it is not too much to ask given the services he has rendered to the nation. The SHA leadership is now at a loss as to what to do, as the man says he has a scheduled procedure and will rely on the SHA to pay the bill, yet undertaking this has political ramifications. Officials are reportedly waiting for a signal “from above” before responding to the letter, either approving or rejecting it. 

********
Frequent flyer senior civil servant

A senior female civil servant in one of the key state agencies in Western Kenya responsible for prosecutions has become the subject of office gossip. Staff are talking about her frequent absences and are puzzled by the lavish lifestyle she displays whenever she appears at work. Sources reveal that she does not reside in the town where her office is located. Instead, she flies from Nairobi, where she lives with her family. Security officers assigned to her office have reportedly expressed frustration, admitting that they often have little to do and end up spending time in nearby social spots while on duty.

********
Ousted official vanishes as probe looms

Panic has gripped an official who until recently was part of the planning of an upcoming regional event, following reports that anti-graft detectives are closing in on him over alleged corruption. The official, who was quietly pushed out of the committee, is said to have gone into hiding amid fears of imminent arrest. Sources indicate he has been avoiding known contacts and switching locations, increasingly anxious that investigators could track him down. His sudden disappearance has fuelled speculation within the organising team, with insiders saying his removal may have triggered scrutiny into financial dealings.

********

Official’s fall sparks celebration

Allies of a former senior government official were recently overheard celebrating what they described as their boss’s “long-awaited vindication”. According to insiders, the former boss had earlier kicked the official out of office over corruption allegations, only for him to make a quiet return under a different administration. His comeback, sources say, was aided by behind-the-scenes manoeuvres that saw pending cases against him quietly dropped. The same official has now found himself at the centre of fresh embarrassment that has rattled the current system, forcing his exit from office once again. For the former boss’s allies, the latest development is being viewed as proof that their earlier decision—once questioned — has finally been vindicated.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this. 

What is the Talk of the Town where you are? Please send us an email: [email protected]