Former OPCS Director Salim Swaleh Pleads for Help in Tearful Viral Video

In an emotional and tearful video that went viral on Sunday evening, former Director of the Press Service at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) Salim Swaleh made a desperate appeal for help. Swaleh, who also previously worked as a news anchor at NTV, opened up about the turmoil his life has fallen into since his involvement in a Ksh5.8 million scandal was made public in June.

Swaleh, visibly struggling to hold back tears, revealed that the scandal had upended his life, making it difficult for him to even step outside his home. He claimed that extortion attempts by lawyers and police officers have been relentless, all while his court case drags on at a snail's pace.

A Desperate Appeal for Forgiveness

"Good morning your excellency, I hope this video finds you well," Swaleh began, addressing a leader whom he considered a father figure but did not name directly in the video. Swaleh expressed regret over his actions and sought forgiveness, saying, "I broke the trust, I did, and I am so sorry about it."

Swaleh recounted the intense public scrutiny that had made his life unbearable over the past few months. "I have been unable to walk out because of the kind of publicity and the things people said about me just threw me into uncharted territory," he explained.

Allegations of Scandal and Extortion

Swaleh was arrested in June alongside other high-ranking officials within the OPCS, accused of facilitating clandestine dealings involving Ksh5.8 million. According to reports, the officials allegedly rented out their offices to unscrupulous businesspeople for shady operations, even going so far as to switch name tags on doors to deceive their victims.

Since then, Swaleh’s salary was stopped, plunging him into financial distress as loans and bills piled up. He revealed that he had been targeted by extortion attempts from lawyers and police officers who assumed he still had money despite his financial struggles. "It has been 9 months, bills are piling up because salaries stopped abruptly. I have loans," he said in the video.

Swaleh pleaded for the court case to be expedited so he could begin rebuilding his life. "Please find it in your heart to forgive me. Please help end this so I can pick up the small pieces that are left and see where I can begin," he said tearfully. "With the kind of bad publicity that I got, it is almost impossible to get another place to work."

Uncertain Future

Swaleh's emotional plea has sparked widespread attention, but as of press time, efforts to reach him for further comment have been unsuccessful. It remains unclear which leader the video was directed towards or what steps will be taken in response to his appeal. What is certain, however, is that the viral video has shed light on the deep personal and financial toll the scandal has taken on Swaleh’s life.