Former Director of the Press Service at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS), Salim Swaleh, broke down in a viral video on Sunday evening, pleading for assistance.
Swaleh, who previously worked as a staffer and news anchor at NTV, disclosed that his life has been turned upside down since a scandal broke in June, leaving him unable to even take a walk outside his home.
In his video, Swaleh detailed how extortion attempts involving lawyers and police officers have intensified, while his legal case has progressed slowly.
He addressed his message directly: “Good morning, your excellency. I hope this video finds you well. I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks through various channels, but I haven’t received any response. You have been a father figure to me for many years, and I have served you with great dedication for the past year and a half. I acknowledge that I broke your trust, and I am deeply sorry. The past month has been incredibly difficult for me.”
Swaleh continued, “I’ve struggled to leave my home because of the negative publicity and harsh judgments directed at me, which have overwhelmed me.”
Swaleh, along with other senior officials, was arrested in June in connection with a Ksh5.8 million scandal. They were accused of using their offices to facilitate illicit activities by unscrupulous individuals, including switching nameplates to mislead victims.
Swaleh also mentioned that his salary had been suspended, impacting his ability to pay loans and other bills. He urged for the expeditious handling of his case so he can move forward with his life.
“I lost everything in an instant, especially the court process. Each court appearance has been accompanied by relentless pressure and extortion from all sides—lawyers, police, everyone assumes I have substantial funds,” he said, struggling to hold back tears.
