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'Slighted' Wiper honcho demoted, leaves NDC early

Expanded leadership structure whittled down his influence.

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by POLITICAL DESK

Big-read26 November 2021 - 11:22
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In Summary


  • 'Gatekeepers' force businessman to part with Sh300,000 to see an influential presidential aspirant.
  • Fourteen maize flour brands deemed unfit for human consumption. People claiming government connections promise to clear their names, for a price.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka waves at the crowd attending Wiper's NDC at Kasarani on Thursday, November 25.

Did a Wiper honcho try to push some party officials to the periphery during the National Delegates Convention at Kasarani on Thursday? Details have emerged how the party powers that be later prevailed upon an official to step back and allow others to run the programme following his demotion days ago. The politician has previously been issuing hard-hitting statements about Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's (pictured) 2022 political plans. Feeling unappreciated, the politician later left the auditorium before the conference ended. There are claims the party's expanded leadership structure whittled down his influence as loyalists were rewarded. Will he stick to the party as he plots to run for governor next year? 

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Is a bigwig eyeing the presidency next year aware that some of his closest allies are making a killing from people who want to see him? Most of those who have fallen into the trap are businessmen and influential people nursing political ambitions. A trader described to Corridors of Power how an MP close to the politician had assured him that he would help him meet the presidential hopeful privately. The day was set but the businessman was told to part with Sh300,000 before being told the venue and time. He questioned the demand but he was told even God helps those who help themselves.

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Maize flour cartels have swung into action following the recent move by the government to flag 14 brands that it deemed unfit for human consumption. A group of people claiming to have connections in government is demanding money from affected millers with the promise of aiding them have their brands expunged from the list of 14. The group is even promising to clear the names before the festive season when the sale of flour is expected to rise. This is even as the government insists that the move shouldn't be considered as a total ban but an action aimed at giving the millers a chance to take corrective action.

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Will a former critic of ODM boss Raila Odinga from a Nyanza county warm up to the Orange Party in the coming days? The politician who has previously associated himself with one of Raila's 2022 opponents is said to be contemplating switching camps. The move is said to be informed by the growing wave against his political godfather in the region ahead of the 2022 polls. In the clearest signal the politician is about to cross over, he has intensified grassroots campaigns and strategy meetings with some of Raila's staunch supporters from the region. He has also gotten cozy with the governor. In one meeting, he told his team the political future looks bright if he supports Raila.

(Edited by V. Graham)

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