Salim Swaleh: How Mudavadi’s press chief got into legal trouble

Salim Swaleh, former director of press services for Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, released a heartbreaking video message on Monday asking for forgiveness.

In the video, Swaleh spoke about his many struggles and regrets amid the turmoil caused by a scandal and legal difficulties that significantly affected his life.

“Your Excellency, you have been my father figure for a long time,” Swaleh told Mr Mudavadi. “We have built an unprecedented relationship of trust and for the last year and a half I have served you… with zeal. I broke the trust and I am so sorry. I sincerely regret it.”

The journalist, who was arrested on June 22 on fraud charges, admitted he was so overwhelmed by the subsequent media coverage and public scrutiny that he considered suicide.

Swaleh, together with four other defendants, is alleged to have committed an attempted fraud against an engineering firm amounting to Sh5.8 million between June 4 and 22 at Mr Mudavadi's office in Nairobi.

According to the indictment, the defendants falsely claimed they could help the company win a tender to build two stadiums in the country.

“The five, together with others who are not on trial, conspired to defraud an engineering consulting firm of US$45,000, equivalent to Shillings 5.8 million, by falsely representing that they were in a position to obtain a contract to build two stadiums in Kenya,” the indictment said.

Peter Warutere, Minister for Strategic Communications, confirmed that Swaleh's arrest was part of a broader crackdown on a network of fraudsters and corrupt officials.

“A cabal of fraudsters and government officials who conducted their operations at the OPCS-MFDA (Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs) in the Kenya Railways building were arrested yesterday,” Warutere told journalists.

Further investigation revealed that the group had posed as VIPs and government officials to extort bribes from foreigners seeking favors.

The scheme involved “renting” office space to criminals and replacing office signs with fake ones. The fraud was uncovered through intensive surveillance following a security tip-off.

Swaleh claims he has been struggling financially since his arrest because his salary has been cut while his monthly bills continue to pile up.

“It's the end of the month, the bills are piling up, my salary has suddenly been cut. I have loans, please find the heart to forgive me,” he pleaded.

The journalist's financial problems are made worse by the stigma surrounding his case, which he says is making it difficult for him to find new employment.

Prior to his appointment as Director of Media Relations in January 2023, Swaleh, who has worked with various local media houses, was the Head of Communications in Nakuru County.