Ex-Citizen TV Journalist Enters 2027 Gilgil MP Race
Former Citizen TV and NTV Swahili news anchor Salim Swaleh has shown an interest in running for the Gilgil parliamentary seat in 2027.
Swaleh announced his candidacy for the Gilgil constituency parliamentary seat while speaking at the burial of the Utumishi Girls’ fire victims in Gilgil.
He increased the number of journalists and media figures leaving their occupations to enter politics.
Swaleh explained that his choice was motivated by pressure from his constituents, who had asked him to run for the seat.
“I have the voice of Gilgil people who have told me to come home,” Swaleh stated.
Former Citizen TV and NTV Swahili news anchor Salim Swaleh has publicly declared his intention to run for the Member of Parliament (MP) seat in Gilgil Constituency.
Salim Swaleh was earlier arrested and dismissed following a high-profile Ksh 5.8 million fraud and extortion… pic.twitter.com/7ebQRPAkuA— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) June 15, 2026
“I have made friends during my time in the media and in public service and they have asked me to bring them here for developments.”
“For that reason, I will be vying for the Gilgil constituency seat in next year’s general elections,” he added.
“But because today is not a day for politics, I will come back later for a forum where we will discuss the kind of Gilgil we want to build together.”
While making the announcement, the former news anchor did not specify which political party he would run under or whether he would run as an independent.
Before announcing interest in elective politics, and after his time on the screen, Swaleh worked as press secretary at the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for foreign and diaspora affairs, Musalia Mudavadi.
He worked as Mudavadi’s press secretary from 2022 until 2024, when he was dismissed after being arrested over graft allegations.
Salim Swaleh innit. pic.twitter.com/leZa7ySNGC https://t.co/8RKvb0t5nq— BRAVIN YURI (@BravinYuri) June 15, 2026
According to a statement released by Mudavadi’s office on June 23, 2024, Swaleh, among other officials in the office, was arrested for renting their offices as spaces for unscrupulous businesspeople to conduct illegal dealings, among other charges.
“Those arrested include Salim Swaleh, Director of OPCS Press Service, in whose office the swindlers were found nested with fake door switch-nametags,” read the statement in part.
The officials, the statement added, had become adept at the illegal trade, which included having the officials switch out nametags on doors to deceive unsuspecting victims further.
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Following the arrest, he was later suspended from his role and was charged with criminal offences.
Days after dismissal, the Swahili journalist appealed for help, asking Mudavadi for forgiveness, asking other employees to also consider him for a job opportunity.
However, he later went silent, his movements minimised with little to no information about charges against him and whether he had landed another job or not.
Declaring his interest in the Gilgil parliamentary seat means that Swaleh will have to face various competitors, including Martha Wangari, the current MP for the area, who is likely to defend the seat.
He adds to a growing list of media professionals who have in recent months announced they will be seeking political positions in the coming elections.
Among them are Radio Citizen’s Tina Ogal, Citizen TV’s Lulu Hassan and Mwanahamisi Hamadi and also media personality Willis Raburu.
Ex-Citizen TV Journalist Enters 2027 Gilgil MP Race
