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Talk of Town: MP wants return of lucrative post, money ‘poured to finish governor’
Parliament Buildings in Nairobi County on August 8, 2024.
A county boss facing an impeachment threat has sought refuge from one of his political godfathers in order to prevail upon ward representatives to drop the removal bid. Talk of Town has learnt that no agreement has been reached with the political boss, something that worries the governor with each passing day. According to our little bird in the governor’s circles, some of those baying for his blood are also on an extortion mission but he has sworn never to give in to their demands this time after forestalling previous attempts.
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Big man with bigger appetite
Is a powerful government official – notorious for frustrating parastatal heads – behind the turmoil at a top city hospital? Talk of the Town has learnt that the man has been threatening and intimidating board members using state security agents and some private service providers.
While it is not clear what the end-game is or even if he is acting on behalf of other forces, there is no doubt he is seeking to instal people who will help him control the institution. The same official is said to be at the centre of a procurement scandal that is about to explode.
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MP wants return of lucrative post
Recent changes in committee leadership have not gone down well with an MP who lost his lucrative position. The lawmaker was heard complaining that the committee he has been placed has nothing to “eat” but a lot of work. In the previous committee, where he was the chairperson, he would get at least Sh5 million every weekend from players who needed favours, he said. The man is also frustrated he no longer receives calls from influential people seeking help. He hopes the spat between Parliament and the Executive will result in more changes in the committee.
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Money ‘poured to finish governor’
A first-term governor erupted in anger over claims that a top official is bankrolling her deputy to edge her out in 2027. The governor, whose political star is only beginning to rise, recently told a homeground meeting that she has gathered sufficient evidence of the powerful man’s schemes to cut short her bid for re-election. According to her aides, she is preparing to petition higher authorities to rein in the civil servant, accusing him of openly distracting her from serving her people. The feud has already spilled onto social media, where rival online brigades have turned the battle into a war of words.
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‘Rising’ broker promises jobs
A political broker, who was previously associated with a small new political party that imploded following wrangles, has raised eyebrows after sending messages in WhatsApp groups asking for professional media services. The man claims he is the new head of communication at a committee that was recently set up by the government, even though no official announcement has been made and members of the team have not even started work. Undeterred by the doubts, he has gone ahead to ask for quotations and even promised to give jobs to some agencies and individuals.
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Arrests spark panic in county
Panic has gripped a county in Western Kenya after detectives arrested former finance officials over corruption. The move has unsettled some officers who were absorbed from the previous regime. Sources say their biggest worry is a series of illegal withdrawals made when the county boss was briefly away in the recent days, transactions now attracting investigators’ attention. Two senior finance chiefs are also under the spotlight after reportedly acquiring multimillion-shilling hotels in two cities. As sleuths dig deeper, tension mounts, with residents keen to see if the culprits will finally be brought to justice.
