Close associates of suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto are bragging that their man will emerge politically stronger and more powerful once the ongoing cases against him are concluded. They are so confident that they are now claiming the International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo does not have evidence to prosecute him over the post-election violence. They are saying they have got their hands on whatever little evidence Ocampo may have had on their man.

***

Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka reportedly held their recent meetings in the dark in Libya because Gaddafi is afraid of being assassinated. Street lore has it that Gaddafi's obsession with his personal security started in the 1980s when a US attempt to assassinate him resulted in the death of his daughter. According to our moles in the VP's delegation, the street lights are switched off whenever the self-proclaimed Brother Leader is passing and are switched on after he has gone his way.

***

A foreign company on Thika Road in Nairobi subjected its staff to humiliating body searches and illegally held them overnight after some Sh378 million in UK Sterling Pounds went missing from the premises. The company security personnel locked in all the staff, strip-searched them and did not allow any of them to go home until morning. But the missing money was not found. The workers are afraid to report to the authorities as they fear losing their jobs.

***

Two clans in Mandera — the Murule and the Garre — are wrangling over the awarding of tenders for the construction of roads in the district. One clan which lost out on the tenders claims a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Roads who comes from the rival clan influenced the awarding of the tenders to his clansmen. They claim that a company associated with the former PS was awarded a Sh200m contract even though it had not presented the lowest bid.

***

There was high drama at the African Union headquarters last month when the commission chairman Or Jean Ping publicly clashed with Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Addis Ababa after the latter held a Press conference ahead of the Peace and Security Council Summit convened to discuss the situation in Cote d'Ivoire.

According to the story posted on the All Africa.com website, Raila was supposed to brief his superiors in the Peace and Security Council first after which they would deliberate on his report and any other reports pertinent to the Cote d'Ivoire crisis before holding a Press conference to announce their decision.

Ping who had received a rapping from the leaders over his handling of the Cote d'Ivoire issue was peeved by Raila's breach of protocol and summoned AU security details to stop the press conference.

"There was some shouting, pushing and shoving with the clearly discomfited Kenyan premier attempting to rush through his statement before handing out copies to journalists who were being dispersed after which he left the scene in a huff," the story says. It is strange that none of the Kenyan media who were present at the AU summit picked up on this.

***

Spotted in a Nairobi yesterday: The CEO of a prominent media house, his top managers and a senior manager of the Central Bank of Kenya enjoying lunch at a city hotel. This set the rumour mills turning as speculation grows that the CBK official might soon be shown the door.

***

A board member of a foreign company which was recently awarded a multibillion-shilling contract by Communication Commission of Kenya is under siege from creditors who are demanding that he pay his debts. The individual has accumulated debts in excess of Sh 100 million and spends much time and resources trying to fend off his creditors who want to have him declared bankrupt.

***

We are told the Party of National Unity is grappling with the dilemma — will the Attorney General appeal against the High Court ruling that declared that President Kibaki breached the constitution in announcing his nominees for the new Chief Justice, Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions? Remember Amos Wako signed the Judicial Service Commission statement that condemned the nominations as null and void. The PNU has enlisted a senior lawyer who is friendly to the Judiciary to appeal against Justice Daniel Musinga's ruling. The top lawyer who has represented top politicians in high-profile cases is said to be favourable to the Bench.

***

The government will find itself tied down to a contract with a foreign company having the monopoly of printing the country's currency and other security documents. The deal is expected to be sealed soon. According to our moles, while some government officials involved in the negotiations were opposed to the 10-year contract, they were persuaded to accept the deal when they were informed that the foreign company would form a joint venture with local representatives.

***

PNU politicians are bragging that they will soon "teach" Prime Minister Raila Odinga a political lesson. The politicians believe that the moment they have been waiting for to fix Tinga (Raila) once and for all has come since the political pendulum has swung in President Kibaki's favour. They plan to push through the names proposed by President Kibaki before they introduce a motion of no confidence against Raila.

***

Are the decisions being made by the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura being coloured by the fact that he is one of the six people suspected to have masterminded the post-election violence? Those working with him say the man is annoyed with some senior government officials who he claims gave information to ICC chief prosecutor which was used to fix him.

***

A well-known city lawyer is in trouble after he threw his wife and child out and married another woman. The man has been sued by his wife, whose lawyers are convinced they have a credible case against their flamboyant and uncaring colleague. The woman intends to air all the dirty linen in public once the matter comes for hearing in court.

***

JUSTICE and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo was surprised when he confronted by a Star journalist who wanted to get his comment on the re-insertion of a controversial clause in the re-published Vetting of Judges and Magistrates Bill, 2011. "I'm shocked because no other journalist has realised it or is likely to!" said Mutula before confirming and taking full responsibility for the same.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga's allies have been working overtime to try and get the support of leaders from Central, Coast and Rift Valley provinces and persuade them to join his team ahead of the 2012. Some of those involved are wealthy and influential business people, university dons and former powerful politicians and their task is to convince their kinsmen and friends that the PM is the right horse to back in 2012.

***

Attorney General Amos Wako's recent statements poking holes at the evidence collected by the Justice Philip Waki report on the post-election violence and down playing the success of the cases that the ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is preparing against the suspects has raised eyebrows. The questions that are begging for answers are: Has Wako now joined the bandwagon of those out to sabotage Ocampo's work? Is that the reason why the Witness Protection Fund has not been operationalised? And what does it say about Wako's loudly voiced commitment to fighting impunity?

***

The successful implementation of the new alcohol law may rest on the shoulders of the provincial administration whose officers — from the district commissioner upwards — have the final say on who gets an alcohol licence. The district commissioners are however reluctant to take on this new responsibility as they feel their positions are not guaranteed under the new constitution.

***

A well known PNU minister is reported to be using all means to try and keep off his growing number of creditors. The man is said to have mortgaged his salary to the brim paying off bank loans and other debts. It's rumoured he is only taking home Sh50,000 out of the close to Sh1 million that MPs are paid each month. He has exhausted his goodwill with parliamentary colleagues who have become tired of his borrowing and inability to pay.

***

An MP who is a member of one of the prestigious parliamentary committees reportedly received Sh10 million hush money from a senior Government official. Reason? The official wants the MP to keep quiet about a huge scandal in one of the ministries. An assistant minister from Western Kenya who brokered the deal is also reported to have received a "commission". The dossier on the underhand dealings in the ministry remain under lock and key—for now.

***

Some MPs opposed to what they see as ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo's 'meddling" could not hold back their very colourful language when they addressed a press conference at Parliament. They threw parliamentary decorum to the wind, ranted and raved against Ocampo whom they described as a "tyrant" and "devil guy."

***

An ecstatic acting City Mayor George Aladwa last night hosted a dinner for close to 300 family, friends and relatives. NO. It had nothing to do with recent attempts by some of his civic colleagues to have him confirmed as mayor. Aladwa was celebrating the fact that his dear wife was among the hundreds of University of Nairobi graduates.

***

A polygamous MP from Nyanza who is also an assistant minister is reported to be planning to divorce one of his wives. Reason? He claims she has been cheating on him with a senior security and intelligence officer.

***

An MP from the Coast has become the laughing stock of his colleagues after his car stalled in Parliament for the last two weeks. Reason? He is unable to purchase a car battery. His colleagues are wondering why the mheshimiwa cannot just fork out Sh30,000 to buy a battery for his expensive car.

***

A prominent Mombasa businessman has been busy on the phone calling politicians and senior government officials to find out whether his name has cropped up in the ongoing investigation into drug traffickers and dealers. Those in the know say it is just a matter of time before the man is put out of his misery as the list of suspected drug dealers will soon be leaked.

***

The CEO of a blue chip company is said to be grooming his wife to contest a parliamentary seat at the Coast. The man has made it a habit to drive down to the Coast to inspect the construction of their mansion as well as establish her credentials at the grassroots. The woman is expected to announce her intentions early next year.

***

Several bars have sprouted up along Hospital Road in Upper Hill, Nairobi. The bars, which are situated in a residential area and within metres of the Kenyatta National Hospital and the doctors quarters, have been running for several months. Complaints by residents to the Nairobi City Council, the National Environment Management Authority and all the relevant authorities have received no response. Reason? The person running the bars is a well connected businesswoman whom the authorities, including the police and the city council, are
afraid to confront. She is said to enjoy protection from the powers that be

***

A flamboyant MP from the Coast was on Tuesday spotted along Wabera Street in Nairobi. What was strange was that the man was right in the middle of the street, appeared to be in deep thought and was mumbling to himself. For ten minutes motorists hooted and swerved to avoid hitting the MP who eventually walked away to an unknown destination.

***

Junior employees at the Wundanyi district headquarters are up in arms against a senior official whom they accuse of demanding a kickback before he signs their imprest request. The junior civil servants are now asking the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission to come to their rescue as their complaints to their superiors are not being acted upon.

***

An ODM MP was escorted from the dais during Prime Minister Raila Odinga's weekend rally at Kibera after he started making statements which were at variance and inconsistent with the PM's views. Other MPs attending the same function said they were surprised when their colleague started making disturbing utterances. He was quietly asked to cut short his foul mouthed tirade and leave the dais.

***

Poor Prof Alloys Orago! The executive director of the National Aids Control Council has in his tireless efforts to set a good example to Kenyans and encourage them to know their HIV status been tested nearly 40 times this year alone. "I have become a guinea pig in HIV testing!" Prof Orago was overheard saying. He is a fervent believer that if 80 per cent of Kenyans know their status, the war against HIV will be close to being won.

***

PNU activist Stanley Livondo has been unlike his usual robust self. The man known for his high profile political activities has been making countrywide tours and meeting with youth and women representatives. Two weeks ago, he was in Mombasa where he announced sponsorship for Coast beauty pageants. After Mombasa, he toured Lamu and Kwale where he had lunch with about 1000 Form Three students in the county. Last week he was in Imenti and is scheduled to go to the North Rift this weekend.

A sister of one of the grand coalition's top leaders stormed the offices of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority last month demanding an explanation as to why an application for an air service license by an airline associated with the family had not been granted. Despite her drama and threats to bring the power of her family to bear on the hapless officials, the authority deferred its decision until next year.

***

A judge who wants to succeed Evan Gicheru as Chief Justice is leaving nothing to chance. He is so confident of getting the job that he has started upgrading his wardrobe so that it can conform to what he thinks befits the Chief Justice. What he seems to have forgotten is that the outward show is nothing compared to his judicial rulings and knowledge of the law which will count more when the vetting is done.

***

Twenty eight MPs! That is the number of legislators that Kenya has despatched to Southern Sudan to assess the situation there ahead of the January referendum when that country is supposed to decide whether or not to break from the North. As a guarantor of the Comprehensive Peace Plan, Kenya was expected to send a delegation. The Kenyan taxpayer will have to foot the bill for the huge delegation which is expected to be in Juba for four days.

***

The son of a prominent grand coalition official who has been putting up a block of six residential houses is shocked that his real estate development has been stopped, Reason? Unlike other mortals, the man expected he would go ahead to develop the houses without paying heed to environmental concerns including details such as waste water disposal systems, power lines, etc.

***

A potential 2012 presidential candidate may have his chances blighted after one of his very close associate has been found to be a central figure in a corruption scandal being investigated by a parliamentary committee. The wheeler dealer in trouble is known to be the link man in the transfer of huge sums of money from foreign accounts to local accounts for use by the prospective presidential candidate.

***

Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Administration of Justice are reportedly gathering evidence against one of the people nominated to the Judicial Service Commission. The committee has reportedly put together boxes containing complaints against the nominee alleging his involvement in land grabbing and other ills.

***

A daughter of a well known political activist almost fainted when she was told that a huge contract she had been brokering for some investors had already been signed and given to a company from China. The lucrative contract, worth Sh1.2 billion, was floated by a government agency and those bidding for it offered huge commissions. One bidder offered all those involved Sh100 million in kickbacks and secured the contract. The young woman who had promised to deliver Sh80 million in kickbacks was confident she would get the tender for her clients. The shock was so great that she loudly confessed in the presence of par-astatal CEO's secretary, "I nearly slept with him to get the contract!"

***

Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi reportedly lost his phone during the ODM retreat at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha. According to those present, the Local Government minister placed the phone on the table during a plenary session only for it to disappear mysteriously. Those attending the workshop were ODM MPs and other members of the National Executive Council.

***

The Prime Minister's office has written to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Beatrice Kituyi alerting her that a senior official at the National Social Security Fund has been using the PM's name. Our mole says the official uses Raila's name to intimidate his colleagues.

***

Still on NSSF, how is it possible for an employee to acquire property worth Sh200 million within
a year? We are told that a senior manager has been buying property in Karen and Kitisuru and
yet his salary is not enough to qualify for a Sh200 million loan! PLO Lumumba, isn't this an obvious case for you?

***

Infighting has erupted at the Treasury over delegation of responsibilities to senior staff by a top official. A lady with dubious professional credentials has been assigned four key dockets in the Ministry of Finance and she has literally pushed out qualified technical staff. The lady pokes her nose into any docket with huge sums of money. Rumour has it that the lady's arrogance is due to her being related to a man in the ministry.

***

An ODM-K MP from Ukambani is behaving badly. He approached a group of clergy who are battling a city speculator to reclaim a grabbed plot and asked them to accept a Sh5 million token to drop the case. The first-term MP was shocked when the men of the cloth told him off and decided to battle on. The clergy had sought the MP's political intervention in the matter which has dragged on in the corridors of justice.

***

An accountant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly gone underground after the KACC widened its investigations over the foreign embassy purchase scandal. The man is said to have switched off his cell phone and is believed to have changed numbers. The accountant is said to have been a confidant of PS Thuita Mwangi and minister Moses Wetangula who have since stepped aside to allow further investigations.

***

The PS who had imported seven new cars and had some of them moved from his backyard to some unnamed locations has now covered the remaining vehicles with black plastic sheets to conceal them from the 'elements?' The man reportedly moved some of the vehicles following the zeal shown by Parliament and KACC to deal with corrupt civil servants.

***

Kenya Wildlife Service director Julius Kipng'etich may soon have to deal with some of his senior wardens who are now behaving like some of the predators his organisation is committed to protect. The senior wardens are preying on their juniors who have been allocated houses in areas they consider bigger and better than the ones they have been assigned. Afraid of losing their jobs, the junior staff have been keeping quiet hoping their seniors will not turn their attention to them. Those hounded out of their homes have to watch as their seniors take them over or have them allocated to their friends.

***

Several judicial officers who are celebrating the election of one of their own to the new Judicial Service Commission have now decided to throw a celebratory bash. The catch is, they are expecting judges to cough out Sh5,000 and magistrates to pay Sh2,000 to finance the bash which is also going to be used to console two judicial officers who recently fell victim to carjackers. The thanksgiving get-together is set for next Friday in a yet to be decided venue in the city.

***

Did Court of Appeal judges 'elect' or 'select' Justice R.S.C. Omollo to represent them in the Judicial Service Commission? Word doing the rounds is that the good judges refused to allow officials from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission to supervise the "elections" and the judges reached a consensus selecting the good judge to be their representative in the JSC.

Call us with your news, tips and photos Corridor Hotlines 4244119/144/148

Email: yourtips@nairobistar.com

At the International Monetary Fund meeting going on in the US, African ministers complained that the Fund was treating Africa unfairly. Then the IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn walked into the room, spoke to the ministers and asked if anyone had a question. None of them raised a single question.

***

An MP from Nyanza is spending a lot of his time avoiding his constituents who seem to have lost faith in him. The constituents are saying the man is hard to find when they need his help. The voters have decided that the MP's performance is below par and they will "deal with him" at the right time.

***

Like children, some of the MPs in two parliamentary committees are fighting for attention. The members from the Legal Affairs Committee chaired by Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba and those from the Oversight Committee chaired by Mandera Central MP Hussein Abdikadir are organising media functions and other meetings aimed at outshining each other.

***

You know about the tag of war at the Ministry of Industrialisation over the appointment of the KEBS managing director Joseph Koskey? Yesterday we reported that Civil Service boss Francis Muthaura has been in talks with PS John Lonyangapuo over the matter. Actually the PS with whom Muthaura had a word is Dr Karanja Kibicho. Lonyangapuo is the PS for Public Works and has nothing to do with the fights in his former Ministry.

***

A top official at KACC has complained to friends that he is facing serious frustrations moving ahead with speed as anticipated in the war on corruption. The official claims roadblocks have been placed in every move he makes to unearth corruption and has suddenly become isolated in a process that requires a lot of teamwork.

***

The uproar over the appointment of the new Kebs director has led to Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey being called in to explain his decision to Prime Minister Raila Odinga who is also the ODM party leader while Kosgey's the chairman. On his part, Head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura has given a hearing to the PS John Lonyangapuo.Kosgey and Lonyangapuo have been at loggerheads since the former went ahead to appoint Julius Koskey as the new Kebs boss against the advise of the PS and a section of the board. It's now a matter of who will blink first.

***

A Cabinet minister from Nyanza is at risk of being isolated by MPs from the region for associating with a group of Luo elders who have fallen out of favour with the MPs. The minister is being accused of financing and organising international connections for the elders who have fallen out with their colleagues over "artificial feuds" manufactured by some local politicians.

***

The interest that a well known PNU political activist has taken in the ongoing construction of stalls on a disputed City Council plot in Upper Hill, Nairobi, has attracted the curiosity of many people. A senior City Council officer who has been asked questions about the construction of the stalls just when the council is tearing others down has remained mum and does not want to comment on the matter. The question many are asking is whether the council has changed its policy as far as unplanned structures are concerned.

***

Yet another attempt by another political activist, this time from South Nyanza, to get audience with Prime Minister Raila Odinga has come a cropper. The man, who is hoping to run for Parliament in the next elections, is bitter that despite investing huge sums of money in ODM politics and donating huge sums of money in harambees the PM is yet to notice him. The well known ever ambitious political activist is deeply concerned that people in his constituency will soon realise the PM wants nothing to do with him which will mean the death knell for any political career he is hoping for.

***
A cabinet minister from ODM has been enjoying freebies offered by a Mombasa politician. In return, the mheshimiwa has been using his influence to assist his newfound-friend acquire some prime real estate along the beach. The politician is known to pay his friends for their assistance by footing the bills for the plane and chopper hired to take them to Coast where he hosts them in style and indulges their every whim.

***

Some High Court judges who have been presiding over a controversial land case are reportedly headed for trouble after a prominent city lawyer started compiling a report containing what he claims is incriminating evidence that will bar the judges from any future appointments to the bench. The lawyer has reportedly been gathering the dossier on about 15 High Court judges who have over the years handled the matter. He intends to present the dossier to the vetting committee.

***

Former schoolmates of a Nyanza MP who has all along been claiming he is a qualified lawyer have challenged him to say in which university he acquired his law degree. The man reportedly never completed his law studies as he dropped out after one semester for unexplained reasons and never returned to school to complete the course.

***

A top cabinet minister who is known for claiming he is "Mr Clean" surprised his colleagues when he started celebrating receiving a Sh20,000 gift from a businessman. The minister decided to be 'philanthropic' by calling a number of his buddies to join him for a small weekend party which he hosted courtesy of the cash gift.

***

Key ODM-K strategists want President Kibaki to appoint Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni an assistant minister. The plan is to have Kioni in cabinet leaving the way open for gemstone dealer and Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama to take over as one of the joint Chief Whips.

***

Prime Minister Raila Qdinga's handlers are pushing hard to have one of the ODM Cabinet ministers from Nyanza fired and replaced with the ever vocal Gwassi MP John Mbadi. The handlers are complaining that the minister has been a burden to the party which is in need of revitalisation to woo more members. And if Raila does not want to appoint Mbadi, the handlers have set their eyes on yet another assistant minister, also from the same region, whom they think should be replaced by Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo.

***

On Friday we told you of a former provincial commissioner who is said to be overruling his boss when it comes to some decisions to do with allowances. We have since learnt that decisions to do with allowances are not made or implemented by one person. They are collective because the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry decided to set up a committee to deal with allowances. Since the new system was implemented, we are told, the committee has been able to deal with all the allowances and in fact got rid of fictitious claims. Those complaining have had their claims questioned.

***

Speculations doing the rounds is that former nominated MP and sponsor of the very successful Sexual Offences Act Njoki Ndung'u wants to be the Chief Justice. Many of her friends and associates say the firebrand gender activist and constitution expert is uninterested. But her name has featured in a list being circulated by members of the Law Society of Kenya. They think she should be considered for the soon to be vacant position of Chief Justice. Her inclusion has reportedly made her very unhappy as it is far from the reality.

***

Last week, we told you of an MP from central Kenya who has puzzled his colleagues with his new love for Khat or Miraa. The MP has been carrying with him bundles of the mild stimulant herb which he does not shy away from chewing whenever he gets an opportunity. The same MP has also not been hiding his love for beer and has been seen several times along Riverside Drive imbibing his favourite drink as early as 2 pm.

***

An MP from Nyanza has been harassing Parliament staff. From the kitchen staff to clerks, the first-time MP belittles everyone he comes into contact with. He has no respect for the team that works day and night to ensure his stay at Parliament is comfortable. The staff now want this big man to stop his bad manners.

***

An argument between an MP from Kisii and his former aide almost turned tragic at a Nairobi hotel when the honourable member drew a gun. The mheshimiwa threatened to shoot the civic leader claiming he was behind his recent misfortunes. It took the intervention of two friends who had accompanied the MP to restrain him. When things cooled down, the MP sauntered away with a word of caution to his former aide, "I'm not through with you yet!"

***

We told you about a former minister from Coast who has been conning people and has become an embarrassment to his former cabinet colleagues, family and friends. We have learnt the man conned his junior at the ministry out of Sh180,000. The man, who has piled up a debt of Sh6 million, left the lady with a Rado watch as collateral and promised to repay the debt in a week but never did.

***

The PNU leaders who have been pushing for changes in the party's leadership are about to make a major announcement. Our mole in the party tells us that a group of disgruntled members who include youthful MPs are set to form a new party altogether. The group will be making an application to the Registrar of Political Parties next month for the registration of the new party whose name they are still piecing together. The group aims to shut out elderly politicians from politics of 2012.

***

Yesterday we reported that a senior officer in the Ministry of Housing has refused to pay junior workers allowances approved by the PS Dorothy Angote. We want to take the earliest opportunity to clarify that Ms Angote is the PS in Ministry of Lands while the Housing PS is Tirop Kosgey. The said officer, a former provincial administrator, has been overruling claims approved by Kosgey and not Angote.

***

The season of "eating" is upon us. At least that is what our moles are saying about a Cabinet minister who has enlisted the services of some senior officials and parastatal chiefs under his ministry to try and skim as much "excess cash" as they can in readiness for the 2012 campaigns. For those officers who do not oblige, they are finding themselves transferred or demoted which has caused fear among the staff. The minister has also organised for a top law firm to get the contract to recover millions of shillings owed to one of the parastatals under his mandate.

***

Time: 2am. Place: Langata Road: What: Kenya Airports Authority bus, KAT 277X parked by the side of the road. A group of people swiftly offloading cartons of clearly labeled duty free liquor and beer from the bus to a waiting matatu. Coincidence: The matatu belongs to a senior Duty Free shop manager.

***

The unending PNU wrangles continue. Now the dispute is about the two advisers associated with the party. Party officials are now fighting amongst themselves as to who between Prof Peter Kagwanja and Moses Kuria is best qualified to be the party's political spin doctor.

***

Junior employees at the Housing ministry are angry with a senior official who they say has refused to pay allowances which have been approved by the Lands Permanent Secretary Dorothy Angote. The official, a former provincial administrator, has given himself the role of overseeing the work of all technical departments, including directing heads of departments, even though he sorely lacks technical know-how.

A presenter in one of the leading vernacular radio stations is at the centre of a growing storm caused by a top Nairobi lawyer. During one of the talk shows, the lawyer accused a top Nyanza politician of doing little to uplift the standards of his people who have blindly and staunchly kept supporting him over the years. The lawyer's statements have infuriated some of the sycophantic MPs from the region who are putting pressure to have the presenter fired. However, the station management are standing firmly behind the presenter and have refused to reprimand or punish him for his guest's statements.
***
An assistant chief in Manga district has for the last few months been making a killing by collecting Sh40,000 each from anyone seeking a job as a driver, clerk or subordinate staff in the Ministry of Education. The cunning chief has now been forced to take a loan to repay more than 50 frustrated job seekers whom he had conned and who have vowed to get him fired.
***

In yesterday's Corridors, we erroneously said it is Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo who wants the headquarters of the
Kitui County based at Mutonguni as opposed to Kitui town. The true position is that it is Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka who wants the headquarters transferred to Mutonguni, a plan which Kiema is resisting hence putting the two leaders at log-gerheads.
***
A senior figure at the National Assembly has bought a new, top-of-the-range and custom-made Mercedes-Benz S-Class from a local motor dealer and paid Sh22 million. The cheque was delivered to the motor dealer early this week and was drawn on the Parliament account. The question that goes begging is how come the purchase is being made even after the government has banned the acquisition of vehicles whose engine capacity is above 1800cc?
***
A former minister from Coast has become an embarrassment to his former colleagues in Cabinet, Parliament and friends. The man is said to be constantly borrowing money from friends, colleagues and acquaintances but does not pay back. The man once the epitome of success and power - has gone to the extent of borrowing Sh50,000 from clerks at his previous ministry. One of the clerks is repaying a Sh200,000 loan which he took on behalf of the former minister who has since reneged on the repayment. His indiscrimi-ate borrowing has seen the man accumulate a debt of Sh6 million.
***
A senior cabinet minister, who strongly believes he is in the International Criminal Court list of the post election violence suspects, has been leaking sensitive documents about ICC to the media. The minister has also been sponsoring meetings of leaders from his area to rally communal support for himself should the ICC seek to arrest him.
***
An MP from Central Kenya has puzzled his colleagues over his new love for Khat or Miraa. The legislator has been carrying with him bundles of the mild stimulant herb which he does not shy away from chewing whenever he gets an opportunity.
***
Parties with vested interest in the ongoing parliamentary investigation into Charterhouse Bank have reportedly been sharing their largesse far and wide. Among some of the beneficiaries are several members of the Fourth Estate who have received a share of the millions. One of the journalists received Sh600,000 which he spent to complete building his rural home and refurbished and remodelled his parent's house.
***
Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo is bracing himself for yet another battle with VP Kalonzo Musyoka this time over where the headquarters of the Kitui County will be located. The MP wants the headquarters to be transferred from Kitui town to Mutonguni. Kiema has been blaming "Steve" for not strongly pushing for a Mwingi County during the negotiations on the new constitution in which the counties are enshrined.
***
An MP from North Rift is no longer visiting his constituency after his advisers told him that his chances of recapturing the seat in 2012 are almost zero. Instead of eyeing re-election, the advisers have told the man to concentrate on accumulating wealth for the remaining period in readiness for his retirement. The constituents, who are not aware of the plan, have been wondering why their lawmaker has abandoned them and is no longer attending funds drives or other functions in the constituency.
***
About 150 ODM-Kenya party delegates from Central Kenya are not so happy with some of the party leaders. Reason? Over the weekend, each of the delegates was given Sh1,000 as "bus fare" after a two-day party workshop which was attended by among others VP Kalonzo Musyoka. Immediately the VP left, some of the delegates started protesting questioning how delegates from Nyeri, where the meeting was taking place, could be paid the same amount as the ones who had travelled from as far as Nyandarua or Kiambu counties. Some of the delegates are reading mischief arguing that someone may have pocketed part of the cash due to them.
***
An ODM minister is getting jittery after he received information that some MPs want to move a censure motion against him in Parliament over some transactions he has been handling in the last two years. The MPs are planning to table documents which they say will be enough evidence to prove that there has been a conflict of interest and probably abuse of office by the minister after his company was hired to offer professional services by one of the parties involved in a dispute that directly touches on the ministry the man is in charge of.
***
A top grand coalition member was committed to six months civil jail when he was a Kanu member in the 1980s. We are informed that the man did not serve the term. A judge has hinted that the case registered in the 1980s is very much alive but police seem unable to find the man, who had enormous influence during the Kanu days and still enjoys the trappings of power.
***
The Makadara by-election candidate, who placed portable toilets in a slum adjacent to South B Estate during campaigns, removed them on Friday evening. The man duped the residents that the portable toilets would be permanently in place to get votes from the slums. The slum residents protested and tried to stop the people carting away the toilets in vain.
***
Corridors wants the real owner of identity card number 2624126 to stand up. A photocopy of the ID card we have shows that it is in the name of controversial businessman Ibrahim Noor Hillowly, involved in a land dispute in Nairobi's Eastleigh Estate. Curiously, a search at the National Registration Bureau shows that the ID number belongs to Kitetu Kilemi Mbithi. It also shows that the ID is supposed to be replaced with the new-generation cards. Maybe Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang can tell us how these things work.
***
Drivers and workers at the Chinese company building the Northern Bypass which cuts through Kamiti Road and Garden Estate in Nairobi are on a fuel siphoning spree. The workers at the Kamiti Road section, near Githurai 44 Estate, routinely siphon fuel from the construction trucks into drums. We are told a black Nissan van comes to pick up the drums between noon and 1 pm almost daily. Witnesses have seen the drivers and workers secretly offload and sell ballast meant for the highway construction.
***
They say once bitten twice shy. A Permanent Secretary who was recently interdicted took off from his office to avoid signing a contract he did not understand. The multi-million-shilling project being pushed by highly connected individuals was to construct social amenities in Kakamega County. Maybe more senior officers should be interdicted if it will save taxpayers money from greedy vultures.
***
Two PNU MPs whose constituencies neighbour each other are angling to replace former Makadara MP Dick Wathika in government as assistant minister. The two have been calling deputy prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta frequently to plead with him to take their case to "Mzee" but we are told one minister from Rift Valley has also whispered to the President that the seat should go to Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchellah describing the other two contenders as being underserving of the post and point to lurid footage of the two engaging in colourful political spats.

***

An MP from Rift Valley has banned his two wives from visiting him at his Continental House office. The ban followed an incident where the two women met at the MP's office and had a heated argument that greatly embarrassed the MP. He hopes that by barring them from coming to his office, he will save himself any future embarrassments.

***

The Government's legal department is finding itself in a dilemma over the stance taken by the government on its cooperation with the ICC. Top government officials fear that Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo already has copies of security minutes which the government doesn't want to release claiming they are classified.

***

Two senior PNU party officials who are on opposite camps in the growing debate over whether to change the party leadership or retain it have been exchanging all manner of text messages trying to outdo each other. The exchanges have taken a 'learned' turn. One of the MPs who wants to retain the party leadership with Prof Saitoti sent the sms "a wise man laughs once, a fool twice." His rival who wants to oust the Saitoti leadership team promptly responded saying: "Not that I loved Caesar less, but I loved Rome more," a quote by one Marcus Junius Brutus who was a servant and close friend of Julius Caesara but who conspired in his murder!

***

Several MPs are angry with a young and brash city MP who has taken to inviting dozens of young women to visit him at Parliament's cafeteria since the House resumed work from recess last Tuesday. It may be sour grapes but the MPs are now complaining that their colleague's guests are denying them and their own visitors space to sit as his guests stay for hours on end and occupy all the seats in the MPs' Lounge.

***

A polygamous MP from Western Kenya has taken up a new weekend habit of taking a retinue of young nubile girls to Naivasha for visits. The girls, many of whom are tempted by the prospects of visiting a new town and staying at some of the most resorts do not balk when the MP asks them to come with a friend or two for the fun and games. And if they are more than two, the MP is known to hire a vehicle specifically to ferry the young ladies to the venue!

***

A Central Kenya MP who hopes to replace defeated Francis Thuo as the Chief Whip has now asked a city MP to lobby MPs to his cause. Wags are saying the mheshimiwa has 'facilitated' his Nairobi counterpart to 'handle' fellow MPs to support his quest for the post. The city MP was overheard telling some MPs that the Central Kenya MP is the best suited for the seat as he was wealthy and would be able to use his immense resources to 'whip' MPs into supporting the government agenda.

***

Top cops in Central province panicked at the weekend following reports that former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was due to visit the area to protest the arrest of 82 young people suspected to be sect members. To forestall any confrontation, the senior policemen rushed from Nyeri to Kiambu to establish exactly what was going on and under what circumstances the 82 youth had been arrested.

***

A top PNU politician has despatched a team of his own to South Africa to dig into the background of PNU political adviser Prof Peter Kagwanja, the president and chief executive of the Africa Policy Institute, a senior research associate at the Department of Political Science, University of Pretoria; and visiting professor of Political and International Studies, Rhodes University. A close associate of a top Kanu leader was overheard telling friends at a city restaurant that his boss was financing the team which is expected to report back soon.


Close allies of deputy prime minister Musalia Mudavadi are taking seriously statements by National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende which have created the impression that he (Marende) plans to run for Presidency in future. An MP who is a close associate of the DPM was overheard saying he and others would systematically and politically deal with Marende to ensure his political ambitions are checked at the end of this Parliamentary term.

***

Just a day after the MP-elect for Makadara Gideon Mbuvi Kioko alias Sonko was sworn in, he was telling friends how he intended to refurbish his office at Continental House and install a wardrobe of the suits he has bought to attend Parliament. The MP, who does not hide his love for bling and whose sartorial sense of dressing has raised eyebrows, he says his suits will be only for Parliamentary business.

***

Some ODM MPs are now pushing to have the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission called in to investigate how the party's share of the political party's fund has been spent. The legislators are unhappy with the way in which party aspirants in the recent by-elections were handled. A top party official was insisting on spending money meant for the aspirants on their behalf.

***

Still on matters ODM, Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba is set for bigger things. The man, once a close ally of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is reportedly being groomed to take over the ODM secretariat. Corridors has information that some party members feel the seat should go to Internal Security assistant minister Orwa Ojode credited for his "cool" relationship with people from across the political divide.

***

An MP from Rift Valley who was being investigated for corruption sent a gang of thugsto deliver a chilling message to a former senior official at the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission—stop the investigations or die. The thugs developed cold feet when they got to the man's home and found it well guarded and instead pasted the warning message on the ex-KACC officer's gate.

***

A Cabinet minister is not amused. She was left out of President Kibaki's delegation to New York to attend the United Nations summit on the Millennium Development Goals. The minister was overheard complaining that she should have been included in the delegation as her ministry is one of those crucial in the implementation of the MDGs. The President has also been accused of not including the minister in delegations to African Union meetings where issues directly under the ministry's mandate are discussed.

***

An MP from Central Kenya has organised a forum for professionals from his constituency to assist him in drawing up development strategies for the electorate. The invitation from the MP has been sent through sms but now many of the professionals invited are complaining because the MP has advised them that they will have to pay Sh300 for their lunch at the venue where the meeting will be held. Some of the professionals who want to attend the meeting are now claiming the MP is 'taxing' them and prefer that he meets the cost of their lunch!

***

The acquisition of a hotel owned by a top grand coalition official is becoming the subject of debate among his colleagues and supporters. The man cut a deal with a foreign road contractor during the Moi regime that saw him assume ownership of the multi-million company after he 'facilitated' the contractors to acquire the tender.

***

A city MP is in trouble after a lawyer accused him of conning him out of an undisclosed amount of money through a third party. The lawyer has now threatened to expose the MP whom he claims has four identity cards and who has been using the IDs to fleece him of the money.

***

Failure by an MP from Rift Valley to put up a permanent home in his village is causing concern among his family and relatives. They say the MP has on three different occasions attempted to put up a house only for the structures to crumble on their own. The MP's family and relatives believe the man is cursed and that the reason for the structures' collapse is ills he may have committed in the past.

***

A PNU MP was recently compelled by the Parliament security to tow away his Mercedes Benz which had been at the Continental House parking lot for the last six months. Those in the know say the MP had been unable to take the vehicle for repair and had left it at the parking lot. The authorities at Continental House wrote to the MP complaining that the car was jeopardising general tidiness and was a health hazard as rats had invaded it.

***

Employees working for a top Cabinet minister are becoming curious on the source of their boss' money. The workers claim that any cash the minister gives them as gifts disappears mysteriously. They now say past employees of the minister have died mysteriously or in poverty.

***

An assistant minister decided to take his wife and family to shop at an Armed Forces Canteen Organisation store in one of the military bases. The AFCO stocks a wide range of products which are heavily subsidised for the benefit of the military. The Mheshimiwa and his family in tow surprised many of the military officers there who expressed surprise that he could be shopping for tax free goods and yet he pays a negligible amount of taxes for his huge allowances and salaries.

***

The spouse of a prominent politician may soon be caught in a net that the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission is laying to nab her. The woman has been getting cash from politicians and businessmen promising them that she will use her influence on her husband to sort out their businesses and political problems.

***

AnMP from Rift Valley is selling arms illegally. The man who has been in the arms business for many years also controls many of the armed militia gangs in the country which are behind bank robberies and other extortion rackets in urban areas. The man's business is so secretive that not even his wife, his many concubines or his children, know what he is up to. His security detail and driver cannot also say where the MP lives as he always instructs them to leave him somewhere in town where he takes a cab to his destination.

***

Still on our waheshimiwa, another well known MP has refused to pay rent for a mansion he has been living in for the last 15 years. Agents managing the property say the (dis) Honorourable MP has been issuing bouncing cheques for the last 12 years. The MP has been organising thugs to intimidate the landlady whenever she demands for payment. He has also ignored several court orders directing him to pay the rent arrears. Instead, the man has used his connections in government to ensure these orders disappear from the files and even has APs assigned to guard the house. The intention, according to his friends, is to grab the house. He used a similar ruse to 'grab' another house at Yaya Centre.

***

An MP from Central Kenya is ruing his decision to campaign against the new constitution. Since the referendum, the man has been having sleepless nights fearing that his many rivals might start gaining the ground he lost for opposing the constitution. Recently, the MP had a public spat with a city councillor who had gone to the constituency to donate sand and bags of cement for the reconstruction of a classroom at a local primary school in the constituency. The MP's handlers and agents tried to coerce the school administration to reject the donation claiming it was meant to undermine the MP. This, the handlers said, is not good for development

***

Cabinet minister George Saitoti has been keenly strategising how he can remain relevant in the changing political scenario. Corridor has information that the PNU chairman has met everyone who matters in his Kajiado County to consult on which position to seek in the 2012 general elections. The mathematics Professor, we are told, has been scrutinising the recent voter register and has accurately found out that he has the numbers to become the governor of the wealthy county. Just wait and read his lips!

***

Did President Kibaki deliberately refuse to undertake a far-reaching reshuffle after the new
constitution was promulgated? We are told that the President, in consultation with PM Raila had agreed to reshuffle the Cabinet, civil service and the provincial administration in a move that would have signalled a new beginning. However, for some reason, the President declined to announce the changes and instead announced a mini-reshuffle that saw Chirau Ali Mwakwere return to the Cabinet.

***

A senior manager at one of the parastatals under the Ministry of Energy has been sacked because of what our mole called insubordination. The manager, who was rewarded for dropping a petition case against a senior Cabinet minister was accused of "haphazard and indiscriminate appointments."

***

Talk of grass suffering when two bulls fight. We hear that a misunderstanding between two senior civil servants- Foreign Affairs PS Thuita Mwangi and Public Service Commission boss Titus Gatere has seen many diplomatic staff at Foreign Affairs ministry by-passed in promotions. Corridors heard that various proposals on how to boost the low morale of diplomatic staff through promotions have been turned down by the PSC boss.

***

A top lawyer who was once paid a huge amount of money for litigation is not lost to the dangers around his wealth. We hear the lawyer convinced a security officer to quit state service to serve him. Apparently, the lawyer who does not live in the city has successfully obtained a new muscle — a gun.

***

What was police spokesman Eric Kiraithe's motive when-he sent out a statement to a section of the media denying that First Lady Lucy Kibaki had kicked out security boss George Nderitu? We are told Kiraithe sent the statement to media houses but left out the Star that broke the story after he failed to get the attention of Star editors.

***

The fuel saga which many Kenyans have been complaining about seems to have finally caught up with some senior government officials. They were overheard discussing a possible solution to the problem—replace Energy PS Francis Nyoike with someone else. Those discussing the same seem to have forgotten a small detail—they have no authority or even powers to appoint or dismiss a PS!

***

A senior deputy secretary in a ministry who acted as a PS for a few months but was never promoted is so bitter that he has been saying everything nasty about the public service. The bureaucrat's anger is finding its way to his juniors who have been on the receiving end of his acidic tongue.

***

A group of Cabinet ministers are unamused by US ambassador Michael Ranneberger's frequent excursions to different constituencies without informing local MPs. The clique of ministers celebrated when news broke that Ranneberger might soon be replaced with President Obama's point-man in Sudan, Scott Gration.

***

Speculation is growing that President Kibaki may be planning to stay in power until August 2013. Some people in the government are claiming that the President has been advised that the new constitution allows him to remain in office till then. Our mole tells us the President may have intimated to PSs that those saying he will have to call elections by August 2012 are misinterpreting the new constitution!

***

A senior politician who lost big time in the recent by-election is said to have been taken ill immediately the reality that he had lost dawned on him. Sources close to the politician who had banked a lot on winning the seat said he could not comprehend the loss of a seat he had drooled over for years.

***

New CMB (cash man brother) MP Mike "Sonko" Mbuvi is a man in trouble. Corridors heard that there are several Facebook accounts trading under his name and where thousands of fans are congratulating him. Apparently, their inboxes are flooded with proposals and offers. The pokes are also uncountable.

***

We hear that a cabal of senior politicians and civil servants successfully schemed to halt the impeding sack of a powerful PS whose ministry has been riddled by scandals. According to our mole, the man earmarked to take over was given a big UN job leaving those who schemed the PS's ouster at a loss over what move to make next.

***

There is no love lost between commissioners of one of the Agenda Four commissions and their secretariat. We hear the commissioners are taking over daily activities of the secretariat when actually their role is at policy levels. Corridors heard that it's only a matter of time before the row erupts in public.

***

A mad woman who has been stripping naked every other day along Muindi Mbingu Street is causing jitters in town. A city resident yesterday called to complain why the City Council is not taking action to move the woman to a mental hospital and save her from ogling mindless men.

A maverick city MP caused a commotion at the main entrance of JKIA when he arrived aboard a boda boda motorbike last Friday. The MP had abandoned his sleek ML Mercedes Benz and jumped onto the bike as a traffic snarl-up on Mombasa Road, caused by an accident near Panari Hotel, would have made him miss a morning flight to Mombasa for a meeting with his business partners. But on reaching the airport entrance, the police manning the gate turned away the motorcycle rider, not noticing the passenger was a mheshimiwa. After the haggling, the MP removed the helmet which he had put on due to massive wind, gave the police a dressing down, before proceeding with his journey to the local departures. Unfortunately for him, he missed the flight and had to wait for the next one!

***

Campaigns in Makadara constituency ahead of September 20 by-elections has turned into high voltage politics for the moneyed if yesterday's events are anything to go by. One of the aspirants, Gideon Mbuvi Kioko, of Narc-Kenya offered to transport Buruburu residents and all commuters on Jogoo Road in the constituency free rides to and from town. Our mole tells us that the aspirant has unleashed a fleet of 15 matatus and one double-decker bus for the free transport services as one of the ways to woo voters ahead of the next week's vote.

***

Trouble is brewing at the National Cereals and Produce Board over staff promotions. Our mole says that despite a reputable recruitment firm being contracted at a cost of Sh14 million to interview candidates for certain jobs, senior officials have continued to give out jobs to their kin ignoring the recommendations of the firm. The private firm has already conducted all interviews and handed a list of the best suitable candidates to the board. Insiders are now wondering why the board had to spend the Sh14 million for a list that is now gathering dust in one of the board's shelves.

***

The National Taxpayers Association says it has identified two phantom projects in Kieni constituency in the financial year 2007/08. The projects were officially allocated Sh450,000 from the CDF kitty for construction but they do not physically exist on the ground.

***

A top city lawyer has fallen prey to a former MP from one of the East African countries. The foreign MP lured the lawyer into parting with Sh8 million for his upkeep claiming that he was expecting some of his donors from the Middle East and Asian countries to wire funds for one of his projects. The lawyer went ahead to surrender the money only for the former MP to disappear secretly. Attempts to get the former MP to refund the money have been fruitless and now the matter is with the Provincial Criminal Investigation Officer in Nairobi.

***

A well known MP from Kisii is causing waves amongst his colleagues after he seduced another man's wife and rented her a house in Kisii. The MP, who is an assistant minister, was the talk of the town over the weekend when he showed up at a funeral with the woman in tow. He did not seem bothered by the whispers that broke out from the astonished mourners who were surprised by his audacity and lack of shame.

***

The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture has moved fast to stop the practice of hiring or promoting people on the basis of their ethnicity. The PS has written the National Cereals and Produce Board's management instructions that they stop the practice with immediate effect to ensure that the staff reflects the country's diversity as per the national cohesion and integrity guidelines.

***

A goof can happen anywhere. But whoever was on duty at the Presidential Press Service yesterday must have been pretty off. The PPS despatched a photo of President Kibaki at the burial of Njenga Karume's son, Joseph, in Kiambaa at the weekend. The caption? "President Mwai Kibaki bids farewell to the outgoing Ambassador Shigeo Iwatani of Japan at his Harambee House office, Nairobi!" No apologies were made but the PPS later sent the correct photo and caption.

The entry of Mobicom to the Orange family has caused waves in the mobile phone firm. Mobicom reportedly placed an order for Sh70 million worth of airtime recently catching the Orange operators off-guard as they did not have the airtime immediately available. A flurry of top level meetings by the Orange management saw them get together the airtime requested to satisfy their customer.

***

An insignificant visit by Joe Nyagah to President Kibaki's Othaya backyard on Monday has set tongues wagging. Reason? People believe there is more to the visit by Nyagah than a mere inspection of development projects in the constituency. They say the visit by the Cooperatives Development minister is significant as it comes soon after talk of a possible alliance between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

***

Some top lawyers are not hiding the fact that they are interested in taking up the many new jobs available as the country sets about implementing the new constitution. Some of them want to be in the team that will vet judges, others are angling to be appointed to the Bench while many others are lobbying to be appointed to the nearly ten commissions and authorities that will be established. The competition is getting so intense that some of the lawyers have sought the services of politicians to try and lobby for the appointments.

***

Stephen Okoth Mwanga cut a flamboyant figure with his Hummer and other outward signs of a successful budding politician during the 2007 campaigns. Mwanga made his political debut after leaving the huge Harambee Sacco on November 22, 2007 where he had been working as a clerk in the Sacco's FOSA Nairobi office.

***

President Moi once told Kenyans that the then ruling party Kanu had its owners. Former Juja MP Stephen Ndichu believes that it is not just Kanu but PNU also. Ndichu, who is eyeing the Juja seat in the September 20 by-election, has been complaining that PNU shortchanged him and handed direct nomination to immediate former MP George Thuo. For Ndichu, the direct nomination confirms what he has always suspected, that PNU too has its owners.

***

The wife of a top Cabinet minister from Nyanza was awarded the tender for printing T-shirts for the Yes camp during the referendum campaigns. The Sh20 million spent on printing and supplying the T-shirts is now a subject of discussion by the Yes secretariat staff who allege only a handful of the T-shirts were printed. They claim the orders were then recycled to justify the millions spent.

***

A politician has fallen out with his personal assistant whom he accuses of being his wife's spy. The big man who is keen on the 2012 presidential race has now gone ahead and assigned one of his security men to spy on his PA. The security man is also supposed to keep track of all discussions the PA holds with the big man's wife. As a precautionary measure, the politician has opted to keep the PA out of all important trips.

***

An ODM MP from Rift Valley never uses his car while travelling to his constituency in South Rift because he says the roads are so bad, they may damage the vehicle. Instead, the MP has been relying on a PSV shuttle from Nairobi to Eldoret town whenever he wishes to travel home. From Eldoret, he hires a taxi to his rural home which is more than 70 kilometres away. He uses the taxi to make sure he does not meet with his constituents who might recognise him and ask for handouts.

***

The senate will be the most hotly contested election in 2012 instead of Parliament. Already, a number of sitting and former MPs are strategising on how they will become senators. In Nyeri, Mathira MP Ephraim Maina is leading the team of four key politicians who want to take the senator seat. Former Internal Security minister Chris Murungaru who represented Kieni constituency is eyeing the same seat as is former minister for Information Mutahi Kagwe. Kieni MP Nemesius Warugongo is also weighing on whether to go for the senate seat or defend his seat in Parliament. The toss-up is on which of the two— Parliament or Senate— is going to be more powerful.

***

We are informed that a commissioner with Committee of Experts has been eyeing the job of Director of Public Prosecutions after President Kibaki promulgates the new constitution on August 27. Our mole informs us that the commissioner has been spending time in offices of senior politicians in government hoping to impress them and land the plum job currently held by Keriako Tobiko. There are transitional clauses in the new constitution that state that the office will be taken over by the Attorney General Amos Wako until the new director is appointed. We are told that it is this loophole that has sparked intense lobbying for the job.

***

Our mole informs us that Makadara former MP Reuben Ndolo was handed a poisoned chalice through an ODM direct nomination. We are told that Ndolo would have to cut a deal with Nairobi City Deputy Mayor George Aladwa for the party to reclaim the seat it lost in the 2007 General Election. Supporters of Aladwa, the councillor for Kaloleni Makongeni ward, have now vowed to vote for either PNU candidate Dick Wathika or Narc Kenya's Mike Mbuvi aka Sonko in protest. This could hand the seat back to PNU, which has its votes in one basket.

***

Is a new onslaught against the ICC investigation of post-election violence through the Africa Union in the offing? We hear that some senior politicians in the Kenya government are pushing the AU to intervene at the Hague, claiming there is no more cause for Ocampo's intervention in Kenya with the new constitution in place. They intend to convince the AU to impress on the court that the new laws would bring forth major changes to the Judiciary and the police, enough to handle the business the ICC would have handled.

***

What happened to the inquiry against a senior police officer accused of pocketing some money from one of the G4S heists in Nairobi? We are now told that the investigation was closed soon after orders by senior officers to have it opened. We are informed the officer being investigated and the investigator were spotted together in Mombasa. Speculation is rife the two may have cut a deal to shelve the matter.

***

A prospective presidential candidate for 2012 who is not quite certain about his chances recently visited a seer to tell him what was in his future. The man's aides have now noticed that their boss has developed a peculiar habit of turning to face the direction he was coming from when he reaches the door, pretending that he is issuing instructions to those outside. It seems he was advised the by the well known "seer" to do this so that he changes his fortunes.

***

An MP has gone through a successful civil marriage with a white woman in North America without the knowledge of his first wife. Some of his many Kenyan friends living in that region have got wind of the event and rumours are flying that the man might eventually find himself in trouble once his new wife finds out she is not the only one. The nuptials are likely to add fuel to speculations about the man's citizenship.

***

A group of elders from Busia have another plan for the outgoing Attorney General Amos Wako. They want the smiling AG to consider running for governor under the new dispensation. According to the wazee Wako's 19 years in the civil service and his experience internationally give him an added edge and is proof that he can become a governor. They are now waiting for an opportune time to inform the AG of their decision.

***

Will Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohamed accept the offer of becoming the next Attorney General or not? Some Cabinet ministers and MPs from the PNU side have hinted that they will prevail on the President to appoint Mohammed as the next Attorney General. They believe that Mohammed's appointment would be a trade off with their coalition partners who are likely to present their own nominee for the Chief Justice's job. The formula they are working on is simple: support Mohammed for AG and we support your man for CJ.

***

Elders from Bureti constituency now want Roads minister Franklin Bett to reconcile with his Higher Education counterpart William Ruto as quickly as possible. The leaders feel that the parallel political paths the two leaders are taking is not good for the Kipsigis community. They want Bett to focus his energies on taking control of the South Rift where the elders think there is a leadership vacuum.

***

Three MPs on a KQ inaugural flight to Luanda, Angola decided to stay on for another day to take in the sights and sounds of that city because they were having a very good time. By the time the rest of the party on the KQ freebie departed, it was not clear whether KQ would cough up an extra $1,000 (Sh80,000) per day for the MPs.

***

An MP from the Rift Valley, whose love for beer is well known, is causing concern for his security detail for habitually sneaking out of Parliament to go to a bar frequented by youth on Accra Road, Nairobi. The MP's driver and bodyguards are worried that they will be blamed if any harm comes to him at the bar.

***

A powerful PS who was reportedly the man behind the demotion of Hassan Noor Hassan as a provincial commissioner is back on his track. The same PS has reportedly now gone to the Head of the Public Service Francis Muthaura to complain that the workaholic administrator should be removed as chairman of the Mau Secretariat. The PS's concerns are that Hassan might soon be promoted to a higher position in government.

***

A commissioner with the soon to be defunct Committee of Experts has reportedly been lobbying senior politicians for a key job at Sheria House. The COE's term of office comes to an end on August 27. The know-it-all source says the man is angling himself to take up the Attorney General's job as the current holder Amos Wako is expected to quit immediately after the new constitution comes into effect.

***

A senior assistant commissioner of police, who is suspected of hiding part of money recovered from one of the G4S heists in Nairobi is in trouble again. His seniors have raised questions about how he handled a drug trafficking case after it came to light that he has been collecting protection money from some of the city's drug lords.

***

A top ODM Cabinet minister is in the crosshairs of some officials at the party secretariat who suspect him of pocketing millions of shillings which had been set aside for the printing of campaign T-shirts for use by the Green team during the referendum campaigns.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka may have delivered 53 per cent of the Yes vote in Ukambani but his future looks bleak, some of the MPs allied to him were overheard saying. They expressed concern that the nascent alliance between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta spelt doom for their man and that Kalonzo may have to switch camps if the alliance takes shape.

***

An MP from Nyanza is breathing a sigh of relief after police arrested a contractor who has been extorting money from him. The MP gave the contractor seed money to start his business only for the man to refuse to pay back. Instead, the contractor conspired with a Migori-based lawyer to forge court papers, which claimed the MP had been sued for a number of offences. The lawyer then opted to negotiate an "out of court settlement" on condition that the MP made a down payment of Sh100,000, which the MP did. But even before the "negotiations" started, the lawyer and the contractor demanded another payment of Sh50,000 which the MP paid on the understanding that the matter will end after the negotiations are completed. Only after he had parted with the money did the MP bother to check the authenticity of the court papers. He discovered that the papers had been forged and there was no such case against him in a Kisii court as claimed by the lawyer.

***

A Makadara parliamentary aspirant ran into trouble with Prime Minister Raila Odinga's security guards when he attempted to pay the PM an unannounced visit in the early hours of the morning. Raila's security blocked the man from entering the PM's Karen home. They told the mheshimiwa wannabe that their boss was asleep and it would be rude to wake him up. We have been told the man wanted to report an ODM Cabinet minister whom he claims has conned him out of millions of shillings in the last few months.

***

Former Nyakach MP Peter Odoyo has been hoping and waiting for an appointment as a diplomat. Those close to him say the former MP was promised a diplomatic posting, which has yet to materialise. They now suspect that someone in the government is deliberately placing hurdles in the way.

***

An MP from South Nyanza lost his cool on Monday night because he was not named to the Cabinet during the mini-reshuffle. The MP had reportedly invested quite a bit of his fortune and hope in another MP who was supposed to "broker" the appointment for him. Apart from monetary persuasion, the MP had also bought the 'broker' several expensive suits from Dubai, to urge him on!

***

A group of Rift Valley MPs who campaigned for the proposed constitution against the wishes of their constituents are hoping to switch sides. The group is looking for an opportunity when they can ditch Prime Minister Raila Odinga and reinvent themselves by throwing their support behind Higher Education minister and Raila's estranged deputy ODM party leader William Ruto's team.

***

A first time MP in Ukambani keen on boosting his profile has been attending funds drives where he donates money claiming he has been sent by big time politicians. The ruse might work for the hoi polloi but some of his political rivals are considering exposing him. The latest such announcement, which has raised suspicion from his rivals, is his recent donation of Sh50,000, which he claimed was from Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

***

A Cabinet minister has installed a CCTV camera in both his private and government offices to capture on tape some members of a parliamentary committee who are fond of blackmailing ministers to part with cash to stop the committee from 'probing' them. One of the MPs who is a member of the committee has reportedly been getting huge amounts from ministers, Somali and Indian businessmen by claiming he has a dossier on their activities, which they do not want exposed.

***

The increasing closeness between Prime Minister Raila Odinga's wife Ida and former Starehe MP and assistant minister Bishop Dr Margaret Wanjiru is causing concerns among some in the ODM hierarchy. They feel that the Jesus is Alive Ministries' bishop had shown party disloyalty by ganging up with the No team and therefore should be sidelined. They feel the party would not be able to 'bully her out' if she continued building up on her links with Ida.

***

Speculation that suspended managing director David Waweru might be reinstated caused a panic in some quarters at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation yesterday after the Corridors of Power tidbit. But some of those who claim to be in the know say the speculation was a test balloon to see how his reinstatement would be received. "A rumour is sometimes just a rumour but sometimes it's spread for a reason," one of them told Corridors.

***

Love of speed is not confined to rally freaks with souped up cars. Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi's four-car convoy yesterday whizzed at nearly 180 kph from Nakuru to Nairobi. Motorists, including those travelling at a comfortable 140 kph on the smooth highway were left behind as the convoy zigzagged out of sight within a minute. Mudavadi had just left a Local Government meeting in Nakuru at 11 am and was headed to Nairobi to attend the joint ODM/PNU parliamentary group meeting. His escorts who were in one of the cars leading the convoy intimidated and harassed slow driving motorists to move to the side and let the convoy pass. They terrified drivers by pointing fingers at those who hesitated to give way. Maximum speed on Kenyan roads for private cars is 110kph.

***

A senior Cabinet Minister keen on contesting the Presidency in 2012 has now ordered two choppers for his campaigns. The two ex-Russian choppers are expected in the country mid next year just in time for the man to hit to the skies as he starts his campaigns. The minister has intimated that his plan B is to go for the deputy president's position.

***

A powerful Cabinet minister from the Rift Valley has made matatu owners look up. He has bought 18 brand new mini-buses, painted them the regulation white colour and registered them to operate the Kitengela and Ongata Rongai routes. Traffic policemen operating along these two routes have been discreetly warned to lay off and not to interfere with the new fleet of matatus.

***

Professor George Saitoti who is not known to speak in vernacular — either Maa or Kikuyu — surprised many when he opted to greet a Yes campaign rally at Kirigiti Stadium in Kikuyu. Saitoti had accompanied President Kibaki. The 'lapse' was not a mistake. Saitoti, who is considered one of the possible presidential candidates in 2012, spoke in Kikuyu because he wanted the people to realise that he is one of them. Saitoti later explained that his mother was a Kikuyu and his father a Maasai. But the lapse' did not go down well with some of the PNU people who wondered why Saitoti always uses the services of a translator when speaking to his Maa constituents.

***

Speculation is rife that suspended KBC managing director David Waweru might soon return to his old job. Waweru was suspended last month over a World Cup broadcasting deal that went bad. The board is yet to decide if they will reinstate Waweru to his job but even before the board's decision is known, the rumours have started flying.

***

Francis Kimemia, the quietly efficient Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Security, might decide to dive into the stormy political waters. Some of his close associates have intimated that Kimemia might try his luck at one of the 'big seats' in the 2012 elections. The man has however not disclosed his intentions in public and is reportedly waiting for the right time.

***

Former Baringo Central MP Gideon Moi is eyeing the seat of senator during the next elections. He will once again be following in the footsteps of his father who served as a member of the Legislative Council representing the Rift Valley in pre-independent Kenya. It seems the younger Moi might have a better chance of becoming a county senator than president — at least for now.

***

The much-awaited autobiography of Prime Minister Raila Odinga is soon to be completed and will be launched mid next year. The PM decided to take on the job himself after he fired an assistant he had got to put the memoirs together. The forced rest imposed on him by his doctors gave him time to put down his thoughts, reminiscences and views before they are handed over to professional editors.

They all come from the same constituency and have in a few short months managed to make their mark on the national stage. First it was Billow Kerrow, who made a name for himself by questioning issues on the budget. His successor in Mandera Central, Hussein Abdikadir, has become an effective chair of the powerful Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution. Coincidentally, Issack Hassan, the chairman of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission is also from the same constituency. Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi is now planning an extensive tour to Mandera Central constituency to thank the people for producing "nationalists".

***

With the success of the referendum, some MPs have proposed that the entire IIEC team be retained for another five years. They say replacing them when their term expires in December will be a big mistake as they have already earned the respect and trust of the people.

***

A politician interested in the Juja parliamentary seat has reportedly amassed a huge war chest in readiness for the race, which is expected to be hotly contested. The by-elections are scheduled for September 20 and his strategy is to unleash the money two weeks before the poll date to 'persuade' the electorate to vote for him.

***

There are reports of an extortionist ring involving some policemen from Parklands that is targeting the business community. The latest victim of the gang is Adopt-A-Light founder Esther Passaris, who was allegedly forced to part with some money to stop the extortionists from taking some of her property.

***

We are informed the Kamukunji Constituency Development Fund is in turmoil. Our mole tells us that Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission officers intercepted Sh29 million that had been channeled to an individual's account from the kitty. Now the account of the fund has been frozen. Managers of the account switched off their cellphone lines when they were informed of the development. Now KACC is seeking out prominent officials of the kitty for interrogation.

***

Corridors is wondering what a leading member of the No campaign team in the just-concluded referendum was doing at the Yes victory party at Kenyatta International Conference Centre. Those present told Corridors that they were puzzled by the presence of the member, who joined them at the steps of the conference centre. We are told the stunt of loyalty was aimed at President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to ensure that ministers who opposed the proposed constitution are not sacked.

***

The sinking fortunes of the family of the late Kamba leader Mulu Mutisya recently touched former President Moi so much that he understandably admonished a senior politician in the Ukambani region who owes his political fortunes to the fallen leader. Moi who was on the campaign trail in the area was so shocked to hear of the neglect of the family of his trusted pointman in the area that he bitterly but quietly lashed at the sitting politician asking what kind of man he has become.

***

An MP from North Eastern Province who has married an 18-year-old girl as a second wife is applying cost-cutting measures, perhaps to be able to support his two families financially. We are told the Member sacked his driver and cut off handouts he used to give elders in his constituency. The issue so incensed his constituents that they pelted him with stones while he was campaigning for the new constitution.

An ODM official at the Yes secretariat discriminated against workers from regions outside of Nyanza when it came to paying the staff. The official opted to pay only those people coming from Nyanza and ignored the rest. Now they are considering filing a formal complaint with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission citing discrimination on ethnic grounds!

***

The Yes team reportedly spent close to Sh1.2 billion in their referendum campaigns. Since there was not much money forthcoming from the ODM side of the secretariat, speculation is rife that the party may have had to dip into its party coffers to fund its share of the budget. An official has whispered to us that the funds could have originated from their political party's kitty.

***

Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo's not very vigorous campaigns in his Mbooni constituency during the just ended referendum is now being remarked upon by some of his Parliamentary colleagues in Ukambani. They say they have just realised that Kilonzo did not campaign at all in his constituency and did not attend any rallies including the ones in Kisumu, Uhuru Park and Kitui which were attended by his bosses President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

***

The numerous foreign observers who were crisscrossing the Rift Valley have given rise to speculation that some of them were actually spies masquerading as observers. Whatever they were, their presence in the region and especially in the Mt Elgon, Burnt Forest and Molo areas, considered hot spots, did not go unnoticed.

Winnie Wangui, daughter of PNU activist Mary Wambui, arrived in style at the Muthangari polling station. But it was the behaviour of her bodyguards that threw off voters on queue. They shoved people aside to allow Winnie to vote without queueing like the hoi polloi. The anger caused by the rough bodyguards was however forgotten when a wag in the crowd loudly said: "I have only one dear wife!" which sent the voters into laughter. Another wag chimed in saying, "This is the last time she will come to vote with these bodyguards!"

***

A KTN presenter allegedly attempted to cut off Prof Yash Pal Ghai when he accused former President Moi of sabotaging the 2002 Bomas draft constitution. Yash and a commissioner with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Omar Hassan Omar, were being interviewed on referendum matters. The station went into a commercial break but the presenter ran into more trouble when he said the Bomas conference was elitist and not people driven, which rubbed the good professor up the wrong way. The station went into yet another commercial break.

***

Just why did the government deduct Sh100 from civil servants last month? Speculation is rife that the money which was deducted without the consent of the civil servants may have been used to fund the Yes campaigns. Majority of the civil servants, especially those in the Office of the President learnt of the 'illegal' deduction when they received their pay slips this week. With an estimated 250,000 civil servants [excluding teachers], this translates to a cool Sh25 million.

***

A senior officer at the GSU headquarters in Ruaraka tried to stop civilians in the camp from going out to vote. It is not clear why the officer was opposed to the civilians exercising their civic right. The ban order was reversed after his colleagues prevailed upon him to rethink his decision.