Kidero Denies Paying Shebesh Sh30 Million over the Infamous City Hall Slap

Former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has denied claims that he paid former Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh nearly Sh30 million for slapping her.

Speaking to The Nairobian, Kidero termed the claims made by Shebesh last month as false, adding that the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) is mentally ill and not everything she says should be taken seriously.

"We all know Shebesh is not okay. She is sick and some of her claims should not be taken seriously," Kidero said.

In an interview on Ghetto Radio in June, Shebesh said they solved the assault case through an out-of-court settlement, which saw Kidero pay her almost Sh30 million. 

“Kidero alilipa doo mingi sana, pesa mingi sana, hawezi repeat. Sikutokaga hivyo. To slap a woman in this country nowadays there is precedence na sijui kama watu wako na dooo wanaweza kulipa. Alilipa almost Sh30 million,” said Shebesh.

“If I did not go strong on Kidero, I would have opened a floodgate of every woman vying for a seat being treated in the same way Kidero treated me.”

Kidero slapped Shebesh during a heated verbal exchange outside his office at City Hall in September 2013.

Shebesh had confronted Kidero over the county employees’ strike, which paralyzed operations at City Hall over unpaid salaries.

She had earlier addressed the protesting workers outside City Hall before proceeding to the governor’s chambers to seek an audience with him. 

A video shared online showed Kidero emerging from his office before slapping Shebesh in the face. Shortly after the incident, Kidero called a press briefing where he claimed he could not remember slapping anybody.

“As far as I can recollect, I was in my office and I do not remember slapping anybody, all I know is that there was a scuffle at my office,” said Kidero.