HUSSEIN MOHAMMED MISSES STATE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON JOB

Roughly a week after William Ruto was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth commander-in-chief, a list of individuals tapped to hold high-ranking roles in his government is already taking shape.

On Tuesday, September 20, a highly-placed source close to the presidency told Kenyans.co.ke, that former Citizen TV anchor Hussein Mohammed was fronted for a top job in the new administration. 

Mohamed, who served as the director of communications in Ruto’s presidential campaign, was linked to a cabinet post.

Insiders, however, were cagey to detail which docket Ruto sees the media practitioner fit to handle as he grapples with rewarding his loyal allies who stood by him prior to the new entrants joining his camp.

Hussein joined Ruto’s team in January 2022, nearly six months before the August 2022 polls.

Earlier on, reports alleged that he was set to be appointed as State House spokesperson. He also led various polls conducted by media houses online, signifying that he was a people’s favourite. 

However, Kenyans.co.ke learnt that Ruto may appoint his long-term ally, David Mugonyi, as State House spokesperson and the head of the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU). 

Mugonyi, who served as Ruto’s communication secretary at the office of the deputy president, may thus succeed former Citizen TV anchor – Kanze Dena Mararo. Reports alleged that Mugonyi took over PSCU immediately after Ruto was sworn in. Sources close to Ruto told Kenyans.co.ke that the former Daily Nation editor initiated PSCU’s rebranding and restrategising. 

The changes were seen from the changes in the profile photo of the State House social media pages and the redesigning of president.go.ke – State House’s official website. 

For instance, the Ruto team did away with the preternatural royal blue colour theme ex-president Uhuru Kenyatta adopted, replacing it with Ruto’s standard flag. The site is, nonetheless, still under construction to date. 

Mugonyi was said to be planning on hiring a world-class photography team that will comprise top media personalities drawn from the mainstream and digital media platforms in the country.

Moreover, Emmanuel Talaam, who worked as the communications director in the office of the deputy president was also fronted for the State House job, but his name was mentioned several times in the running for the government spokesperson role. This position is currently held by Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna.

Mugonyi, Mohamed and Talaam, however, did not respond to Kenyans.co.ke texts and calls as they were unavailable for comment. 

Others slated for roles within Ruto’s government include communication and digital strategists, Munyori Buku and Dennis Itumbi respectively.

Meanwhile, our sources further intimated that former Tharaka Senator, Kithure Kindiki, is set to succeed Interior CS Fred Matiang’i in an announcement that is expected to send shock waves across the country. 

Offering Kindiki the docket considered by many as integral to government operations would be Ruto’s strategic move to soothe his feelings after he picked Rigathi Gachagua as deputy ahead of the veteran lawyer. 

Also, complete is a list of all other government positions as well as parastatal heads. Ruto, however, was said to be keen on avoiding leakages and thus keeps the cards closer to his chest.  

As the election campaign was picking up steam in May 2022, Kindiki drafted a document outlining the power-sharing among the Kenya Kwanza principles including ANC’s Musalia Mudavadi and Ford-Kenya’s Moses Wetangula who was elected National Assembly speaker. 

Mudavadi was promised the Chief Minister position condition that he and Wetangula delivered 70 per cent of the Luhya vote. A goal they failed to achieve. Ruto is expected to unveil his list of his appointees as soon as he touches down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from the US.

Among the major surprises, as disclosed by the insiders, is Ruto axing big names who expect their egos to be massaged.

Source: Kenyans