“I broke the trust I did, and I am sorry about it. The last month has been so difficult for me.”
These are the words of a tearful man on his knees, begging for forgiveness and a second chance to correct all his ‘wrongdoing’ and aking for help. It is often said that once trust is broken it is almost impossible to mend it, but who knows, maybe making the tearful video will move the heart of the Prime Cabinet Secretary who in the eyes of Salim Swaleh is a father figure to him.
In a video circulating on social media, Former Director of press Service in the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Salim Swaleh, is now CRYING asking for a second chance from the prime cabinet secretary and ministry of foreign and diaspora affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, for the break of trust after his involvement in a conspiracy to defraud Sh5.8 million from a consultancy company.
The offence is believed to have committed between June 4, 2014, and June 22, 2014, at the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s office, specifically at the office of the Director of Press Services, within Nairobi county.
Salim Swaleh and 4 others are charged with attempting to defraud two foreigners of Sh5.7 million (approximately $45,000) by promising them a contract to construct stadiums for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. They are accused of allegedly luring foreigners to Kenya with the promise of securing the stadium construction tender in exchange for a registration fee.
Swaleh is facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, attempting to obtain money by false pretense, personating a public servant, and abuse of office.
In his message to the Prime CS, Salim Swaleh describes Musalia Mudavadi as a father figure in his life and regrets to have broken the unmatched trust that was built in the year and a half working in the office of foreign affairs.
Swaleh also went ahead to list his problems, especially the cost of bad publicity he has faced since the scandal happened. He detailed the emotional and financial turmoil he has faced since the scandal emerged, stating,
“I broke the trust I did, and I am sorry about it. The last month has been so difficult for me.”
He described the overwhelming pressure from ongoing court proceedings and the negative publicity that has left him feeling isolated and contemplating drastic actions. Swaleh lamented that he has lost everything, including his job and financial stability, and he is struggling to meet his obligations due to the abrupt cessation of his salary.
“The last month has been so difficult for me. I’ve been unable to even walk out because of the kind of publicity I received, everything people said about me just threw me into some unchartered territory. A lot of things have been running in my mind, very bad things, sometimes I feel like taking my own life,” he stated.
“It’s end month, bills are piling up, salary stopped abruptly, I have loans, please find it in your heart to forgive me,” he said.
“Secondly, please help end this so that I can pick up the small pieces left and see where I can begin. With the kind of bad publicity I got, it is almost impossible to get another place to work. Please have mercy on me.”
Swaleh articulated the hardships he faces from alleged extortion by lawyers and police involved in his case, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to his situation.
As of August 22, 2024, the Director of Public Prosecutions was reviewing the charges against Swaleh in the Sh5.5 million fraud case.