Confusion as Uhuru reinstates State House press team
The Presidential Service Communication Unit (PSCU) was on Friday reinstated putting an end to days of speculation on the fate of top directors.
In a statement by deputy chief of staff Nzioka Waita, the government admitted that the unit had experienced challenges but would remain in place.
“Whereas the Unit has faced some challenges in the execution of its mandate, it is working to resolve them. The Unit and its Staff team remain intact and fully committed to their duties,” read the statement in part.
The PSCU had directors Dennis Itumbi, Munyori Buku, James Kinyua and Eric Ngeno who were on Wednesday suspended with Manoah Esipisu who headed the unit only retained as spokesman.
In the Wednesday directive, the affected staff were ordered to stay at home until when they would be recalled.
Mr Waita added that the unit will continue working on improving coherence and consistency of messaging.
UNAUTHORISED COMMUNICATION
“The Unit will continue to improve on the coherency and consistency of messaging in order to keep the public informed of the President’s transformative development agenda,” he stated.
However, sources say the four were reinstated after a pep talk from Mr Waita on coordinated communication.
“You’re unlikely to see personal statements purporting to be from the presidency from now on,” said the source.
The unit has in the past been criticised over the way it operates, including publication of information purporting to come from the Presidency and failure to follow procedure when dealing with the media.
In May last year, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery warned the team against issuing unauthorised communication on the country’s national security matters.
After the Wednesday announcement, one of the directors Mr Itumbi was on the receiving end of Kenyans online who trolled him stating that he was overzealous in his assignment.
