Editor's Review

"I broke the trust, I did, and I am so sorry about it. I am truly remorseful."  

Salim Swaleh, the former Director of Press in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS), has issued a moving apology to his former boss Musalia Mudavadi. 

In the video which has been widely shared on social media, Swaleh admitted to have messed their relationship with Mudavadi. 

The former NTV news anchor claimed that he recorded the video because he had been looking for the Prime CS for the past few weeks but had not been successful.  

"Your Excellency, I hope this video finds you well. I have been trying to reach you for the last couple of weeks but in vain. I have sent several people to talk to you, but I haven't received any feedback. You have been a father figure in my life for the longest time. 

"We built an unmatched trust between us. For the last one and a half years I have served you with unmatched zeal. I broke the trust, I did, and I am so sorry about it. I am truly remorseful,” Swaleh stated tearfully.

He went on to disclose that things have been difficult for him in the last month and he has been unable to get new employment due to negative publicity.

Swaleh added that he had lost everything and, at some point, considered taking his own life.

"The last one month has been so difficult. I have been unable to even walk out because of the kind of publicity I have received. A lot of bad things have been running on my mind. Sometimes I think of taking my own life. I lost everything in a blink of an eye," Swaleh stated.

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.

He claimed that police and lawyers have extorted him every time he is in court, asking Mudavadi to put an end to his tribulations. 

"Every time we go to court, lawyers are on my neck, the police are on my neck and extorting me right and center because they think I have a lot of money. Please find it in your heart first to forgive us, and second, please help end this," he added.

Swaleh was among six suspects arrested on Saturday, June 22, in connection with an alleged fraud at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. 

In a statement, the office disclosed that the suspects were arrested following surveillance, claiming that they were involved in fraudulent activities in the office and that fake door switch-nametags were found in Swaleh's office.

“The surveillance was able to also track and identify their co-conspirators, among them government officers who facilitated their dastardly activities. Those arrested include Salim Swaleh, Director of OPCS Press Service, in whose office the swindlers were found nested with fake door switch-nametags,” read part of the statement.

Swaleh and his co-accused were later released on bail after they were charged with conspiring to defraud a consultancy company of Sh5.8 million.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, approved the fraud charges but later called for a review of the case.

The suspects failed to take pleas after the DPP's action and the court gave the DPP until September 12 to conclude the review.