Corridors of Power

Monday, 16 May 2011 00:08 BY POLITICAL DESK

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyattahas caught on the idea of using the social networks. He has been active on Twitter and Facebook. His recent post which has been getting quite a lot of traffic is his request for suggestions on what people want to see in the June budget. Not surprising are the suggestions that MPs salaries be reduced, measures be introduced to compel them to pay taxes on their salaries and allowances, increase taxes on beer and yes, reduce VAT on basic commodities. In just a few weeks, UK will present his budget and prove whether he actually pays attention to the postings on his Facebook or not!
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A PNU Cabinet minister is in the spotlight following allegations that he is trying to forcefully disown a widow of her land. The politician who reportedly harbours presidential ambitions has used his authority to have government bulldozers to bring down buildings the widow had built on the prime piece of land at the outskirts of the city. It is not clear what is driving the minister to take such action against the widow of a man who was his close friend.
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A man plucked from academia to become a permanent secretary in one of the strategic ministries has become so unpopular with his staff that they are circulating all manner of allegations and claims against him. According to some of the allegations, the man is acused of being highhanded, yells at his subordinate staff and reminds anyone who dares the question him that he is the Permanent Secretary! The man has also surrounded himself with which cronies who carry out his bidding and benefit from promotions and other consultancy jobs that the PS is known to throw in their way.
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The near fisticuff between Juja MP William Kabogo and his Maragwa counterpart Elias Mbau was reportedly sparked off when the latter made reference to Kabogo and drug dealing. An MP who overheard the exchanges between the two men before the near fight claimed Mbau told Kabogo to go and sell drugs instead of criticising him (Mbau) for supporting the Mzungu (in reference to Peter Kenneth)

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We are told a group of councillors from Murang'a became stranded when their scheduled meeting at a city hotel with anti-jigger campaigner Stanely Kamau failed to materialise. The over 20 councilors were in town to meet Kamau allegedly to discuss politicis and not how to fight jiggers. The councillors wanted to persuade Kamau to run for political office. The councillors were left to pay the bill for the tea and pastries they took as they waited for Kamau.