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Talk of Town: Depression sets in for big man after axe, big shot braces himself for scandal
Still on boards, allies of a parastatal chairman, whose term was abruptly cut short over his “toxic” political rhetoric, are growing concerned about his mental health.
No merit here, your past loyalties count
A former Principal Secretary recently learnt the importance of loyalty to the regime the hard way when he came close to a new appointment. The man, who was hawkish in his support of Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee administration, was interviewed for a government position. The recruitment was competitive and the man is reported to have emerged top in the interviews. What followed shocked him. When the list was forwarded to the appointing authority, his name was rejected outright, and the big man ordered the hiring to start afresh.
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Dear ODM, we can’t be fooled all the time
A top ODM figure recently said he does not know where he belongs. He said some party supporters want to be told why they are continuously being told that they are in the opposition while key ODM leaders and their relatives continue to benefit from state largesse. Referring to the quote — “you can fool some people some time, but you can’t fool them all the time” — he said it is only a matter of time before their supporters rebel at being asked to remain in the opposition trenches while top officials are eating at the high table.
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Board members scared of colleague
Some board members of a parastatal facing disbandment are apprehensive about sitting in meetings with a colleague who was named as a suspect in a capital crime. One of them was overheard telling his friends after taking one too many that they are even scared of sharing a room with the man and want him suspended until he is cleared by the courts. The board has been under scrutiny over multibillion-shilling corruption cases touching on some of its current and former officials, including those now holding senior government positions.
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Depression sets in for big man after axe
Still on boards, allies of a parastatal chairman, whose term was abruptly cut short over his “toxic” political rhetoric, are growing concerned about his mental health. They fear the fallout may have pushed him towards depression. Since his removal, he has withdrawn from public life, avoiding social functions, which he used as platforms to launch attacks on perceived enemies. The man has undergone a change in demeanour, prompting his inner circle to agree on giving him a two-week grace period to observe any signs of recovery after which they will decide on the next course of action.
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Minister shifts focus to local politics
What exactly is going on in a county led by the opposition? All eyes are on a CS, who appears more focused on local political manoeuvres than on his national responsibilities. The minister has been criss-crossing the county, holding public and nocturnal secret meetings with leaders, including those who opposed his side in the 2022 election. This has sparked speculation that he is plotting to unseat the governor or that he is seeking to sponsor a candidate for the position. Tensions are rising, and concern is mounting as the governor’s faction also plots measures to check the CS.
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Big shot braces himself for scandal
A scandal is brewing on social media after a woman, said to be the estranged lover of a senior politician, posted a series of ballistic messages with threats to spill the beans. Our mole says the woman, who has since moved on and joined an opposing political camp, was angry that the big man had decided to meddle in her current relationship by revealing things that are best kept secret. The usually abrasive politician, who got into trouble over the affair, is struggling to get over his ex-girlfriend. The woman deleted some of the social media messages but most of her warnings remain clear for all to see.