Tension is increasing at a state agency over planned recruitment of a substantive director-general following the exit of the former boss. Already, there are protests that the consultancy firm helping in recruitment, as well as the board of directors, has settled on a former director. The ex-director was recently overheard bragging that the seat was as good as his. The competition seems to have taken a tribal trajectory as the acting boss from Western Kenya is staring at his exit. Staff members are asking the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (headquarters pictured) to rein in unqualified applicants trying to arm-twist the powers that be to secure the position.
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A second-term governor and a first-term MP nearly exchanged blows during a meeting of the county leadership over insecurity problems. The melee started when the legislator assailed the county boss, accusing him of leading gang-like goons who have been tormenting his opponents. His words angered the county chief who shot up and headed straight for the MP who has been his main critic since he was elected. It took the intervention of the county commissioner and other attendees to contain the confrontation that was fast turning ugly. Even after matters cooled down, the two leaders made it clear that they were not yet done with each other.
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Still on county matters, a governor and his senator displayed rare friendship during grilling of the county boss by a parliamentary committee. The issue was the use of billions of shillings allocated to the devolved unit. Legislators were left wondering what became of the two leaders, who only a few months back could not see eye to see or endure each other. The lawmaker, however, could not find any fault with the way his governor spent public funds. In fact, he was full of praise for his vision for the county. The previous committee meeting had been filled with drama and the two appeared to be sworn enemies. But you know what they say about strange bedfellows.
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A veteran politician from Eastern region who is seeking to return to office after some time out in the cold has gone back to the drawing board. This is after his main financier cut ties with him without giving any warning signs. The tycoon, who is believed to have the deepest pockets in the region, had promised the politician money to finance his activities. The businessman had vowed that he would not rest until his man returned to active politics. The veteran politician is now reaching out to not-so-well-off allies to finance his campaigns.
(Edited by V. Graham)
