A small party that has been insisting to Kenyans it has a national outlook is facing tough times ahead. Reason? We are told some MCAs who had bribed their way on assurances from party honchos that they will be handed direct tickets are now demanding their hard-earned money back. The aspirants, most of whom sold their only cars and plots, we are informed, have been camping at the tiny party’s offices tucked in some apartments within Nairobi since last week.They are threatening to let the cat out of the bag over other dirty dealings within the party in the next few days. Will the party owners survive this onslaught in the coming weeks?
***
A communication official at a top ministry is on the spot for consistently dropping the name of the Cabinet Secretary in his press invites, ostensibly to attract coverage from top media houses. All the time, the official indicates his boss would be giving the keynote address but the Cabinet Secretary has always been a no-show. The ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary or the Principal Secretary are always sent to represent him. The last time the CS turned up for an event as indicated on the programme was in January and it was largely because the guest of honour was the head of state.
***
Some aspirants for parliamentary and ward seats in a county in Rift Valley are having a rough time wooing support for their party’s governor. Before they won the tickets, the aspirants were instructed to also campaign for the governor’s reelection as they hunt for votes. There is a problem, though. The county boss is so unpopular in some constituencies that mentioning his name becomes counter-productive in those areas. One aspirant was overheard telling his counterpart in another constituency that selling the governor in his area is like hawking bhang. One has to do it secretly.
***
A senator from one Mt Kenya county is on the horns of a dilemma. The lawmaker hoped that he would cross over to a rival political camp but that hasn't happened. Instead, forces plotting the downfall of a leading presidential hopeful have opted to bankroll his rival ahead of the polls. Initially, the lawmaker had been earmarked as a prime target by the scouts until recently when he made reckless remarks that complicated matters for him. He has now been left with hard choices over his next next move. His former camp has gotten wind of the move and could slam the door on him.
(Edited by V. Graham)
