CORRIDORS OF POWER
A top player at a critical state agency is the talk of town over allegations that he has created artificial roadblocks for some of the entity’s clients. The officer is accused of supposedly demanding bribes with wanton abandon, with customers reportedly forced to part with something extra, beyond the official fees, to have their issues attended to. Those familiar with the goings-on say the alleged behaviour has left many worried about what may have happened to the man’s once-touted morals.
********
A new private entity allegedly run by a politico is said to be giving a group of traders sleepless nights. Some of the affected traders have been overheard blaming the firm for purportedly engaging in unfair competition in their line of business. They claim the entity, which is reportedly backed by the influential politician, has been making it increasingly difficult for established players to compete on a level playing field. The traders are considering their options, with some threatening to close shop and send workers home.
********
A group of lawmakers is on the spot over its alleged notoriety for camping at a well-to-do state agency. The group is said to have made it a habit of trooping to the entity in a pattern that is becoming increasingly predictable. Word is that the lawmakers could be colluding with the agency’s boss over yet-to-be-specified dealings. An insider whispered to Corridors of Power the entity is under scrutiny over alleged misuse of funds, making the lawmakers’ frequent visits all the more curious. Questions are now swirling over what keeps drawing them there.
A governor race in a popular county has entered a new phase, with aspirants feeling the pressure after one contender reportedly raised the bar on the ground. An emerging ‘Sh500 per head’ handshake culture at political gatherings has reportedly left the fellow’s rivals wondering how deep they will have to dig to keep pace. Word on the ground is that one aspirant allegedly tried the old tactics of just staging a talking shop, only to get a rude reminder that voters are becoming harder to impress. The race has turned to a conversation about who has the money and machinery to secure victory.
