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Talk of Town: Sh35m renovation for PS office, Big man’s Sh10m ‘handshakes’ and Top union leader faces 2026 ouster

Wads of cash.
Sh35m renovation for PS office
A Principal Secretary reshuffled in the recent Cabinet shake-up has shocked staff at his new station after refusing to occupy his predecessor's office, insisting it must first be renovated to "his standards." The PS —who had expected to be promoted to a Cabinet position—described the current state of the office as "filthy and tiny," and wants renovations undertaken at a cost of Sh35 million. The PS, who is said to be eyeing a gubernatorial seat in the next elections, is also demanding a personal team of lawyers, advisors, and media staff—mirroring the setup of his Cabinet boss.
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Big man’s Sh10m ‘handshakes’
A senior politician with significant influence in one of the regions is reportedly charging potential aspirants between Sh200,000 and Sh10 million, depending on the seat one is seeking. According to our source, the money is meant to secure a meeting with the politician, who has commercialised such engagements. Recently, a businessman based abroad and eyeing a parliamentary seat in 2027 is said to have parted with millions for a meeting that never materialised.
Young upcoming politicians are now complaining that securing a meeting with the influential figure has become an uphill task.
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Top union leader faces 2026 ouster
It’s just a matter of time before a long-serving union leader, whose position seems like a birthright, is dethroned and replaced by fresh blood. Plans to unseat him in the upcoming 2026 elections are said to be in high gear, with his successor working closely with some members of the leader’s inner circle. Our bird is privy to a strategy meeting held in Naivasha last week, where several leaders from the giant union met to finalise plans to push him out. The plot enjoys the full backing of powerful State mandarins and disgruntled union members who are eager for new leadership.
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Minister drops long-trusted driver
A recently appointed Cabinet Secretary has dropped his long-serving and loyal drive r — apparently after being misled by mandarins in the ministry who claimed the man had parked a State vehicle at a bar. The CS, known for abandoning trusted allies, replaced the driver without verifying the claims. Unbeknownst to him, the new driver is reportedly tracking his movements and reporting to powerful individuals. Interestingly, the Principal Secretary in the same ministry has now taken in the ousted driver, describing him as loyal, disciplined, and a man of high integrity.
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Big man sore after rival camp ultimatum
A senior leader has been handed a tough ultimatum: work with his political rivals or kiss his job goodbye.
DNation bodytext ragged : The embattled figure, who was on the verge of losing his position due to a court order, was reportedly told that his only path to survival lay in embracing a rival faction he had previously vowed never to associate with.
DNation bodytext ragged : Despite boasting of strong numbers, he was cornered and reluctantly agreed to the terms—as he quietly plots a 2027 comeback to the inner circle, where he hopes to once again call the shots.
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Watchdog officers on the spot over graft
Officers from a key watchdog commission are under scrutiny over claims of pocketing millions from a contractor in Nyanza who falsified documents to win multi-million shilling tenders since the onset of devolution in . The contractor was recently questioned over the fake documents used to secure lucrative deals but is said to have greased the palms of the very officers investigating him, who then walked away smiling all the way to the bank. Now, civil society activists who initially tipped off the officers are furious. They’ve vowed to storm the commission’s offices and eject the officials for failing to do the job they’re paid for by taxpayers.