Salim Swaleh Apologizes to Mudavadi in Tearful Video Months After Being Sacked
Key takeaways
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- Salim Swaleh is a Kenyan journalist and the former Director of the Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) Press Service.
- Mr. Swaleh worked at the Kenya Railways Headquarters before his arrest in a June sting operation targeting corrupt individuals.
- According to a statement released by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Swaleh was arrested for being linked to an extortion ring that solicited bribes.
- Two months after his arrest, a distressed Salim Swaleh publicly pleaded with Prime CS Mudavadi for mercy, seeking help with his corruption case and damaged career.
- The experienced journalist is seen sobbing in a video that has gone viral on social media.
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Salim Swaleh arrested in connection with an extortion scheme at Prime CS Mudavadi’s Office
Two months ago the country was shocked by details from a corruption investigation at Musalia Mudavadi’s office.
The statement followed the arrest of a well-known TV journalist Salim Swaleh and other senior staffers at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
According to an official statement from the Secretary of Strategic Communication Peter Warutere, Swaleh and his accomplices were fraudsters who swindled money from visitors who sought favors from the office.
In the elaborate extortion and bribery activities, the ‘high-ranking’ officers solicited hefty bribes to facilitate deals for visitors who were mainly foreigners.
The office reportedly acted on a tipoff that alerted security of the ongoing mischief. An investigation was swiftly initiated to catch the fraudsters.
Foreigners pretending to be looking for favors frequented the building at different times to bait the greedy officers.
Their tracked movement uncovered the notorious bribe solicitation and impersonation of high-ranking officials by criminals.
Mr. Warutere also blew the whistle on senior staff who ‘rented’ their offices to criminals, letting them use their offices to commit crimes.
“Their victims were mainly foreigners who would be shepherded into the Railways Building Ostensibly to meet high-ranking government officials for favors in exchange for bribes,” said Secretary Warutere in a statement.
Salim Swaleh’s rough court battle over corruption charges
After he was arrested, Salim Swaleh was taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for questioning.
The veteran journalist was then taken to court to answer to bribery and extortion charges.
Overwhelmed with emotion Swaleh explained that his case had turned into an extortion process against him.
“Every time we go there, lawyers are on my neck, police are on my neck, everybody is extorting me left right, and center. They think I have a lot of money. Every time we are there we are told the prosecution has not received any direction on what should happen to the case,” says Swaleh.
The lawyers allegedly want the situation to remain that way as every court session is an opportunity for them to milk more money from the prominent media personality.
Salim Swaleh also asked for forgiveness from Prime CS Mudavadi whom he says he has not been able to reach despite spirited efforts to access him.
The accused journalist has not received a salary for months, is reportedly defaulting on loans, and is struggling to pay his bills.
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Kenyans react to Salim Swaleh Video
Kenyans are sending harsh comments to the disgraced media personality. Some netizens believe should face the consequences like a man and stop crying in public.
Below are some of the reactions to Swaleh’s sobbing video on X:
“This is a reminder to everyone, never go to an extent to please a politician. It’s time for Salim Swaleh to pay,” says @DcInarok
“Just like most Africans, former high-flying journalist Salim Swaleh, who served as Director of Press in the Prime Minister’s Office before his untimely ouster, let power enter his head, na akajisahau,” added @Makiadi_
“Salim Swaleh should know that if you mess up you are on your own, stop crying and man up,” wrote @Mogulformogul.
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