Former Mudavadi PA and ex-Citizen TV Journalist Salim Swaleh joins 2027 Gilgil MP race
Untitled design (53)
Former Citizen TV and NTV Swahili news anchor Salim Swaleh has declared his interest in vying for the Gilgil parliamentary seat in 2027.
Speaking during a burial of one of the Utumishi Girls’ fire victims in Gilgil, Swaleh declared that he will vie for the Gilgil constituency parliamentary seat, adding to the number of journalists and media personalities leaving their professions and venturing into politics.
According to Swaleh, his decision stemmed from the pressure from his constituents who had asked him to come and vie for the seat.
“I have the voice of Gilgil people who have told me to come home. I have made friends during my time in the media and in public service and they have asked me to bring them here for developments,” Swaleh stated.
“For that reason, I will be vying for the Gilgil constituency seat in next year’s general elections. But because today is not a day for politics, i will come back later for a forum where we will discuss the kind of Gilgil we want to build together,” he added.
The former news anchor, however, did not state plainly the party he would use as a political vehicle or whether he would vie as an independent candidate while making the announcement.
Before announcing interest in elective politics, and after his time on the screen, Swaleh worked as press secretary at the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for foreign and diaspora affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.
He worked as Mudavadi’s press secretary from 2022 until 2024, when he was dismissed after being arrested over graft allegations.
According to a statement released by Mudavadi’s office on June 23, 2024, Swaleh, among other officials in the office, was arrested for renting their offices as spaces for unscrupulous businesspeople to conduct illegal dealings, among other charges.
Ruto orders governors to absorb 7,400 UHC workers
Look for Wamunyoro, Irungu Kang’ata to the Linda Mwananchi team
Oburu defends Ruto’s ‘God-given’ tours, backs domestic borrowing strategy
“Those arrested include Salim Swaleh, Director of OPCS Press Service, in whose office the swindlers were found nested with fake door switch-nametags,” read the statement in part.
The officials, the statement added, had become adept at the illegal trade, which included having the officials switch out nametags on doors to deceive unsuspecting victims further.
Following the arrest, he was later suspended from his role and was charged with criminal offences.
Days after dismissal, the Swahili journalist appealed for help, asking Mudavadi for forgiveness, asking other employees to also consider him for a job opportunity.
However, he later went silent, his movements minimised with little to no information about charges against him and whether he had landed another job or not.
Declaring his interest in the Gilgil parliamentary seat means that Swaleh will have to face various competitors, including Martha Wangari, the current MP for the area, who is likely to defend the seat.
Some people are saying that I work too much and that I should take a holiday – William Ruto
Motorists hit out at EPRA after Ksh0.22 reduction in petrol prices
Blame parents for school unrest, not teachers – KNUT boss Oyuu
Follow us
