Kiraithe named government spokesperson

Former police spokesman Eric Kiiraithe during the national police vetting at the Skypark plaza building in Westlans, Nairobi. PHOTO:JEFF OCHIENG (5-3-2014)

Former police spokesman Eric Kiraithe has been appointed the National Government Spokesman.

His appointment, The Standard has learnt, was informed by the need to ensure coordinated communication to the public.

Deputy Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Nzioka Waita, while making the announcement, said the Office of the National Government Spokesperson will function from the State Department of Interior and Coordination of National Government.

It is understood that Kiraithe will operate from Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, and his role is different from that of spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.

The Office of the State House Spokesperson, held by Manoah Esipisu, will remain within the Executive Office of the President.

Kiraithe's appointment was informed by the need "to ensure timely, consistent, coherent, and coordinated communication to the public on all matters relating to The National Government's agenda."

The position was active during the coalition government under President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga and was held by the now Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua.

Kiraithe has been working as General Manager for Security Services at the Kenya Airports Authority on secondment from police.

His replacement at KAA was not named. He will hold his first press conference today to articulate the Government agenda.

Silent Resistance

"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," Waita said.

The move is seen as part of efforts to centralise government's communication, which has been viewed as being disjointed.

Esipisu has been facing silent resistance from within in his efforts to act as the Government spokesperson on various matters.

Pundits say Kiraithe will now be the spin doctor for the government ahead of the 2017 General Election.

He is returning to a familiar territory given that he served as the police spokesman for almost five years between 2009 and 2013.

Kiraithe will work with the spokespersons in different government ministries.