This archive report was first published on 7 August 2020.
Former Senior Director of Digital Communications in State House Dennis Itumbi has shared his account of the behind-the-scenes of President Uhuru Kenyatta's communication team setup after the 2013 general election.
Itumbi, who was officially fired from the position in March 2023, described how he was frustrated while working at State House.
According to Itumbi, President Kenyatta sought to set up a vibrant communication team after his election in 2013. His first choice was then CNN anchor Zain Verjee, but she turned down the offer to complete her studies and had 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 claimed that he and his 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.
Published on August 7, 2020.
