Eric Kiraithe named govt spokesman

Former police spokesman Eric Kiraithe has been named the National Government spokesman, reviving the office thta had previously been scrapped by President Uhuru Kenyatta..

Mr Kiraithe, who was the general manager in charge of security at the Kenya Airports Authority, will now work under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.

A statement from State House Deputy Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita said the appointment of the police senior officer was “to ensure timely, consistent, coherent, and coordinated communication to the public on all matters relating to the national government’s agenda”.

“Mr Kiraithe, who has a long and distinguished history of public service mainly in the security sector, will take up his new post immediately, moving from his current role as general manager for security services at the Kenya Airports Authority,” said Mr Waita.

Mr Waita said while Mr Kiraithe will operate from the Ministry of Interior offices, the office of the State House spokesperson, headed by Mr Manoah Esipisu, will remain within the Executive Office of the President.

OFFICE SHUT

In August 2013, the government shut the government spokesman's office and its holder, Mr Muthui Kariuki, was redeployed.

A statement from the Presidency at that time said the move was informed by the need to ensure "coherence, clarity and consistency" in the way the government communicates.

"The Office of Public Communication Secretary and Government Spokesman does not fit within the new structure of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration and has consequently been shut," the statement said.

Mr Esipisu then took over communication within government.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua once held the post during the reign of President Mwai Kibaki.