Former TV journalist Salim Swaleh declares bid for Gilgil MP seat

Former television journalist Salim Abdulahi Swaleh has officially announced to contest for the Gilgil parliamentary seat against incumbent MP Martha Wangari ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Swaleh announced his intention to vie for the seat during the burial of one of the victims of the Utumishi Girls Academy fire tragedy, saying he had heeded calls from residents urging him to return home and seek elective office.

His declaration marks a new chapter in a career that has seen him rise from the media industry to the corridors of power, suffer a public downfall, and now seek redemption at the ballot box.

Before his entry into government, Swaleh was a familiar face in Kenyan households as a Swahili journalist, having worked at Citizen TV before rising to become NTV's Swahili Managing Editor and anchor.

His transition into public service came shortly after the 2022 General Election when Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika sought to bring him into her administration. Swaleh had been lined up to serve as Chief Officer in charge of ICT, e-Government and Public Communication, a role he admitted was attractive due to his long-standing relationship with Kihika and his roots in Nakuru.

However, before settling into the county government, a call from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi altered his path. Swaleh chose the national government appointment, taking up the role of Director of the Press Service in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

His tenure in Mudavadi's office would, however, come to a dramatic halt in 2024 after he was arrested alongside other officials over allegations of facilitating fraudulent dealings from offices within the Prime Cabinet Secretary's premises.

The scandal saw him suspended and subsequently lose the influential role he had held at the heart of government.

In the days that followed, a visibly emotional Swaleh made a public appeal to Mudavadi for forgiveness and sought another chance at employment, a moment that marked one of the lowest points in his public career.

For nearly two years, Swaleh largely stayed away from the limelight, with little known about his professional life or the progress of the case against him.

His return to the spotlight now places him in a race against Wangari, who has represented Gilgil in Parliament since 2017 and is expected to defend her seat.

Born and raised in Bondeni, Gilgil sub-county, Salim joined Mwangaza College in Nakuru to study Mass Communication, which opened doors to the media industry, and he landed a job at Ghetto FM, a community radio station.

He later joined Sauti ya Mwananchi Radio, and in 2008, Salim seized an opportunity to work in Iran and the following year, enrolled at Tehran University to pursue a degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Swaleh will however have to battle for the United Democratic Alliance party ticket with Ms Wangari and another Samuel Mwangi in the nominations before facing other candidates including former MP Nderitu Mathenge at the ballot.