Ruto Sacks Journalist Kathleen Openda, Appoints Former Policeman Charles Owino to Head Media Body

President William Ruto has appointed former National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Charles Owino as the new Chairperson of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) Council.

In a gazette notice issued dated September 27, President Ruto kicked out former journalist Kathleen Openda who was appointed to the position on a three-year term in October 2021.

Owino, a former Siaya gubernatorial aspirant, will however only serve in the position for one year, according to the notice.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 (3) of the State Corporations Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Charles Owino Wahong’o to be the Chairperson of the Council to the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, with effect from the 29th September, 2023 up to the 5th October, 2024,” read the notice.

“The appointment of Kathleen Openda is revoked.”

In the 2022 polls, Owino initially announced his intention to run for the Siaya Governor’s position, before later dropping out to become former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo’s running mate in the race.

He, however, later dropped out of the race completely, forcing Gumbo to find a new running mate in former journalist David Ohito.

Owino would, following the presidential election victory of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leader William Ruto, be appointed the party’s Siaya County Coordinator.

UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, in a statement issued in July this year, said Owino would replace Dianga Waore who had since been appointed the Chairman of Lake Region Development Authority by the Kenya Kwanza government.

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