In the Cottage with: Dennis Itumbi - On fear, ambition and being single

By Yvonne Aoll | 8yrs ago | 9 min read

Late last year, an acquaintance I’d just made suggested I interview Dennis Ole Itumbi, a blogger and the current Director of Digital Communication at the Office of the President. I said I’d look into it. After that, almost every second person to whom I spoke about this quest, would only ask: “Dennis Itumbi?! But Why?”

And my response remained: “Why not?”

I received variations of answers, most of them alluding to the fact that he comes across as loud, arrogant at times and standoffish.

But I’ve been here before, here where many imagine some high profile figures were born and they simply became. Here, where I become even more excited to do the story and find out if there even is, a story. Here, where I take it up as a challenge to find out if really, people like Dennis Itumbi have always had it all on a silver platter…and Dennis, has not.

Dennis and I met at an impossibly breathtaking venue in Limuru, the Brackenhurst Conference Centre. Located in Tigoni, Brackenhurst offers so much green, that it’s refreshing to both the eyes and psyche. The richness in history of the facility dates as far back as 1914. The excellence and precision with which the accommodation is set up very hard to miss. And on food, dishes like their chicken schnitzel are made to absolute perfection.

The grandiosity of the venue in itself and the well-manicured lawns…impeccable!

Brackenhurst, is where most people seek photo shoots when in Limuru. This is where couples come to get away over the weekend. But mostly, as the name suggests, it is where corporates go to seek brainstorming sessions and team-building activities.

And it’s at Brackenhurst, that I grilled Dennis Itumbi. A man who, based on his job, is largely misunderstood. A man who has big beliefs and bigger dreams. A man who knows what it means to have paid the dues. But most notably, a man who tells the darkest of stories with soul in his eyes, and who shares the funniest of tales with ground-breaking laughter.

Dennis knows how to blend and blend fast! As we take a mini-tour, experiencing the beautiful and quietly exotic Brackenhurst terrain, he gives us ideas on what pictorial angles would work best, he makes jokes that catch the photographer completely off-guard, and at some point, he confidently turns the table and starts firing questions at me…I dodge them successfully (almost!)

With a mission of finding out what Dennis really is about as a person, we try to keep discussions on politics at a minimum. Dennis, who farms pigs and adores chapati with french beans as his favorite meal, opens up to me about working for the president, living in the slums, helping the less fortunate and, almost having a vasectomy…

Dennis, does President Uhuru Kenyatta actually tweet?

(Smiles) Sometimes.

Really?

Mmh-hm! He does.

Do you post the rest of his tweets?

He manages his Twitter account. (Laughs) This question was asked about thrice the other day, the answer remains the same.

Speaking of which, the panel discussion on Citizen TV just before Christmas, did you feel bullied?

Bullied? No! On the contrary, I wish such discussions could happen more often. I wish someone could come up with a platform that’s free of time constraints unlike on TV. A platform where healthy debates on issues that matter can happen and people can stay informed.

Why do you polarize people so much?

(Laughs) I don’t know! I started blogging, documenting my opinions, some people loved what I had to say and how I said it, and some didn’t…

Did blogging get you the job at State House?

Yes and no. I received a call once, it was from a gentleman called Uhuru Kenyatta, of course I didn’t buy into it, so I disconnected the call. He called a second a time, I didn’t pay too much attention either. The third time, I listened. We met at the Hotel InterContinental and he drove us to some dingy club in South B.

From South B we went to some place on Limuru Road where families were struggling. Unknown to me, I was being taken to these places to make observations on living conditions. He asked what I could do to help him improve such people’s lives… and if I could come up with something, I could make him president. That’s how the discussions started. But he must have seen my blog prior to making the calls.

Do you love your job?

(Brightens up) Ah, it’s fantastic! It’s one of the most amazing things one can do in a lifetime. But, do I have ambitions beyond my job? Yes.

Ambitions such as?

I will get into political office at some point.

What seat will you vie for?

Well, in politics they say, the best time to reveal political ambition is at the time when that political ambition is rolling. So, for now, let’s just leave it at ambitions.

How do we differentiate Dennis Itumbi the statesman from Dennis Itumbi the person?

You know, I have trouble with this myself. But there’s Dennis Itumbi the brand. The civil servant who’s the Director of Digital Communication at the Office of the President. Dennis the brand does and says things aimed to impact a large number of people.

Dennis the individual on the other hand, deals with personal matters and shares his personal opinions on things.

So when, for instance, Dennis gives Wahome Thuku a birthday wish online, which Dennis is this?

(Laughs) It’s Dennis the person…the one who does personal things. It’s the Dennis who loves poetry, storytelling, nature, chilling out and country music. It’s the Dennis who doesn’t drink.

Any reason for being a teetotaler?

No particular reason. Most of my family members drink…save for my mother. All my friends drink. And I do go out. I just don’t drink.

Your love for country music, tell me about it…

I love that genre of music. There’s something about it. I go to Galileos for their live country music with Sir Elvis, it’s wonderful! I can’t co-ordinate my lower and upper part of the body to dance, neither can I sing to save my life, but I love country music!

Who’s your favorite country music artist? And Dennis, please, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton don’t count…

(Bursts into laughter) Well, I can’t give specifics on names and songs. But when the radio is on and a country song comes up…something happens. I become alert. I identify. And I listen to the lyrics. Music to me is necessary noise.

People still question your educational qualifications, why is that?

Yes, this question, where did Dennis Itumbi study? At this point, I’ve formally requested the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) to put up my certificates and results on display. Hopefully that settles this issue.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the village. Some think it’s Maasai Land, some Kirinyaga, some Embu…all these presumptions work in my favour, politically. So I try not to specify. But I was the typical village boy, herding cattle and harvesting coffee. I had my first soda, a Babito, when I was in class 7.

Really?

Yes. And I was so excited and mesmerized because I couldn’t understand why a drink had a “stone” in it. It’s only until later on in life that I realized the “stone” was as a result of refrigeration. I had no prior knowledge about things like that.

And this is a true story?

Yes! I was so alarmed. To a certain extent that when I bought my first fridge, I made sure I slept right next to it just to hear it hum. And when I bought my first microwave…that was the moment! I still have the video of the purchase to-date.

When did you come to Nairobi?

When I was 19, for my enrollment at KIMC. When I graduated, I went to live in the Mukuru slums. Later on, when I finally made it, I moved to Kawangware! I could not believe it!

You’d made it!

I had. I was in Kawangware! You know, back then we used to say Kawangware is “ju.u.ust” right after Braeburn! (Laughs)

What was your greatest fear, then?

That I would not make it. I had a responsibility to try and raise funds and school my other four brothers. That goal has thankfully been achieved. There’s only one brother left who’s just cleared high school. But I’m glad, that as of now, for the most part, that goal has been achieved.

What’s your greatest fear now?

Now? I think I’ve gone beyond fear.

What keeps you up at night then?

The need to try and make an impact, such that, every child, whether born in Turkana, Lokichar, or the depths of Uasin Gishu, can have an equal opportunity at life.

I’ve used personal finances to provide desks for school children in Kilifi. I’ve tried to facilitate the rehabilitation of some children living with disabilities in Malindi, and there’s been a similar venture in Bungoma. I can’t help seeing people suffer in pain where I can help. Obviously, I can’t save the world all by myself, but I do what I can.

The delivering of cake on live TV, what was that about?

(Giggles) Now, here’s the thing…

Yes, this thing…

There’s nothing of a romantic nature going on between Jackie Maribe and I. She is simply a very good friend of mine. We met a while back when she was in media circles and we connected. That’s it. I delivered a cake to a friend, at her place of work, on her birthday. There’s nothing more to it. She’s a really great friend though.

Are you dating?

No. I’m single.

Have you been in love before?

No. Never.

Never? At 34 years old?

Never. I’ve never fallen in love. And I’m not planning on it. I don’t believe the heart is a measure for emotion.

Do you plan to get married someday?

No, I don’t believe the institution of marriage is one that is compulsory to all. I don’t think it works. Life is so structured. And I hate it. Get born, go to school, find a job, get married, have kids, retire, and the cycle starts again with the kids. It’s terrible. I’m determined to interfere with that structure.

What if you really care for someone?

It’s okay to care. But who says we can only express this kind of care within an institution called marriage? Some of the greatest people we know were never married. Look at Jesus Christ, even Barrack Obama admitted he almost never got married to Mitchelle.

Well, Jesus is different though…

But he came as man…(Laughs). Look, I don’t think this marriage business is essential. Not for me.

What about loneliness then?

Loneliness…even in marriage, people are lonely.

So, balance in life, do you find it crucial?

(Thinks) Mmh…perhaps not.

Any desire to have children?

At one point, I actually considered a vasectomy. The doctor, however, strongly advised against it. Apparently I still needed to take some time… After that stage of life, I never went back. But I would have done it.

And now, still no desire for kids?

Well, I’m actually not completely dismissing marriage as an option. I think I’d consider getting married to a woman with a kid. Or I could adopt. I’d do any of those things. Provided it’s away from me.

So, you don’t want any immediate offspring taking after you?

I mean, before I die, I’ll ensure I have some genes in a sperm bank .That should solve it. (Roars in laughter).

What would you tell your 21 y/o self?

(Seeming nostalgic) Oh, I wish I knew. I would have just been 21.

But I’d say: don’t chase after money so much and don’t chase after women too hard…both will come.

Yvonne Aoll is a writer and freelance journalist. You can read more of her work here http://www.cottageaoll.com/