Speaking on Ghetto Radio, former Nairobi County Women Representative claimed Governor Evans Kidero paid her Sh30 million as an out of Court settlement for the slap in 2013.
“Kidero paid me close to 30 million shillings. I did not just accept to let it go like that. I wanted to set a precedence,” Shebesh told the station’s presenters. If I did not go hard on Kidero, I would have set a very bad precedence for every woman vying for a seat being mistreated in the same way Kidero did to me,” the current Youth and Gender Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) said.
Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero reportedly paid Sh30 million for slapping fellow politician Rachel Shebesh in 2013, making it potentially the most expensive slap in history.#UmojaNews pic.twitter.com/jxNca4XGHY
— Umoja News (@umoja_news) June 18, 2021
In 2013, Shebesh, known for her aggressive style, had confronted Kidero over the county employees’ strike, which had paralysed operations over unpaid salaries.
That day, Shebesh addressed the protesting workers outside Kidero’s office before proceeding to the then Governor’s chambers to seek audience with him.
Argument ensued after Kidero emerged from his office before slapping Shebesh, who momentarily staggered before her security guards steadied her.
“Kidero, you have slapped me? You have slapped me Kidero? You have slapped me?” Shebesh said in a video that was widely shared on social media and as seen in the Umoja News tweet above.
Shebesh filed an assault lawsuit against Kidero, but she later withdrew it and opted for an out-of-court settlement.