This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
August 7, 2020 - President Uhuru Kenyatta's communication team setup after the 2013 general election has been revealed by former Senior Director of Digital Communications in State House Dennis Itumbi.
Itumbi, who was officially fired from the position last March, described how he was frustrated while working at State House.
According to Itumbi, President Kenyatta was looking to set up a vibrant communication team after his election in 2013. His first choice was then CNN anchor Zain Verjee, who turned down the offer citing her need to complete her studies and a contract extension at CNN.
Itumbi claims that he coined the title Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU) for rebranding instead of the previous one Presidential Press Service (PPS), but the change was not signed off until he approached Mr. Kenyatta.
He also alleged that the team went for a year without pay and accessed State House only on the strength of a News Release.
Mr. Esipisu has since been appointed Kenya's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (U.K) in 2018 with TV anchor Kanze Dena taking his position at State House.
Itumbi has since found a new home in DP Ruto's corner.
