From Media House To Public Service
The recent “poaching” and headhunting of Citizen TV’s Political Affairs Editor and Senior journalist Francis Gachuri by CS Kindiki-led Ministry of Interior where he will serve as the Head of Strategic Communication after 17 years at the Royal Media(RMS); reveals the key role of strategic communication in the modern day governance and political structure.
Most corporates and multinationals globally and even Kenya, have invested heavily in public relations, communication, and Social Media management to protect their business and public image by having a professional gatekeeper.
Now, the National and County Governments are taking note of the positive impact strategic communication and public relations have in the running of the internal and external affairs of an organization. Journalists have perfected the game of acting as “filter components” on information especially in their newsrooms and with that background and skills, they can easily fit this key sensitive communication docket in the government.
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Kanze Dena, Hussein Mohamed, Wallace Kantai
It all started with Swahili News Anchor Kanze Dena when he was poached straight from the Citizen TV news desk to head the plum State House job. His predecessor too worked for a top TV close to 10 years. Before that, Business Editor at NTV Wallace Kantai was also appointed in 2017 as the Head of Communication at the Central Bank of Kenya.
Kanze Dena and Hussein Mohamed, both from Royal Media Services, are the State House Spokespersons who have enjoyed the sanctum of power at the heart of government as greenhorns from the private apolitical sector. Mohamed, who now heads the State House docket, has been seen in recent times, as the man who sits right behind William Ruto, in terms of protocol-same line with the Aide de Camp and close advisor Farook Kibet, with added roles of as the Speechwriter Editor and Communications Head.
Let us look at other media personalities who have quit the media sector to join plum state appointments.
Salim Swaleh
He served at Nation Media Group as an NTV news Anchor before he left to join the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary.
Swaleh now serves as director of the press service in the Office of Prime CS which was introduced after Ruto came into power. Earlier, he was rumored to have been poached by the Kihika-led County government of Nakuru as Communication Chief Officer but the move was thwarted by the courts over appointment procedures by Nakuru County Public Service.
Karen Karimi
She quit her stint at TV47 to join Kilifi County Government. Karimi will serve as Head of Communication under the leadership of Governor Gideon Mung’aro who is serving his first term. Karimi previously worked at K24 before joining TV47 as a journalist.
Kennedy Muriithi
If you remember this journalist altercation with the then Deputy President Kalonzo Musyoka that “his name betrays him”, he is the one and only Kennedy Muriithi. He has built a niche as one of the finest political reporters. He left NTV to work with Tharaka Nithi County Government as the governor’s political advisor.
Anders Ihachi
He left Citizen TV as a reporter in 2018 to work with Musalia Mudavadi under Communication Directorate. Ihachi also worked with Media Max-owned K24.
Nick Gitonga
He is an ever-bubbling journalist who pitched his camp on the southern coast as a reporter for Citizen TV. Nick ended his stint with RMS to work with Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani. Gitonga now heads the communication department in the county.
Charles Odhiambo
The former Programmes Manager at RMS left after close to 20 years for the Homa Bay government.
Odhiambo is now the Chief of Staff for the Gladys Wanga-led government.
Mike Gitonga
The former KTN News presenter left the Standard-owned Mombasa Road office to join First Lady Mama Rachel as Secretary of state Functions and head of communications.
Are we likely to see more journalists being appointed to other lucrative positions such as CAS? Case in point Mwanaisha Chidzuga, Boniface Musambi, Linda Ogutu?
Time will tell!
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