Salim Swaleh, Director of Press at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has been released on cash bail of Ksh.400,000 in a case where he is suspected of obtaining money by false pretenses as well as abuse of office.
Salim was arraigned in Court on Monday alongside other five co-suspects over the offense of obtaining money by false pretenses, personating a person employed in public service and abuse of office.
The prosecution had earlier on filed a miscellaneous application seeking 14 days detention order against the respondents to conclude their investigations.
However, in a ruling delivered today by Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, the court noted that there are no compelling reasons to deny the respondent’s bail.
The suspects were arrested following allegations that they fraudulently induced foreign nationals from Dubai and South Africa to secure a tender for constructing two stadiums for the AFCON 2027 games. It is alleged that the complainants were to be defrauded of over Ksh. 5 million as a registration fee.
According to the prosecution, the complainants were led to believe they would meet government officials from the Ministries of Sports, Interior, and Youth Affairs, as well as senators from the Budget and Sports committees, to facilitate the tendering process.
Upon entering the Prime CS office, Swaleh reportedly facilitated a meeting where one of the suspects posed as the chairman of the Government Delivery Unit, promising to expedite the tender process for the foreigners.
