Ex-Governor Candidate Patience Nyange Lands Top Role At IGAD

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an economic alliance of eight nations in eastern Africa, has appointed media personality Patience Nyange as its Spokesperson.

IGAD, headquartered in Djibouti, brings together countries from the Horn of Africa, the Nile Valley, and the African Great Lakes region.

In the new role, Nyange will report directly to Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, the organization's Executive Secretary. She assumed her duties in March 2024.

"We are thrilled to announce and welcome Nyange Patience to the IGAD family effective March 2024. Patience Nyange joins our team as the Spokesperson, Office of the Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr Workneh Gebeyehu," the organization announced on its social media accounts.

President William Ruto and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the IGAD meeting on Sudan Peace Process in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 10, 2023. /PCS

"With her many years of experience, expertise, and passion for effective communication, we are poised to elevate our voice and mission not only in the region but globally. Welcome aboard, we wish you all the best in your journey with us."

In a recent interview, Nyange expressed her deep appreciation and commitment to her new role, stating “I am truly honored and humbled to be chosen as spokesperson. I am enthusiastic and dedicated to fulfilling this responsibility, and I look forward to working closely with the leadership and team."

"IGAD plays a crucial role in promoting peace, security, and development in the region, and I am excited to contribute. I look forward to engaging with the media, partner organisations, and the public to enhance awareness and understanding of IGAD's work and its impact on the lives of people in the region," she expressed.

Before joining IGAD, Nyange served as the Executive Director of the Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK). She left the position in January 2024 after more than a year.

Nyange's impressive background includes previous appointments as a Board Member of the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), Assistant Director at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and Communication Advisor at the Ministry of Devolution and Planning.

She boasts of a rich media career, having worked as an Associate Broadcast Mentor with BBC Media Action and a journalist with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK).  She also held positions as a presenter and producer at Baraka FM.

Nyange holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with a focus on Electronic Media from Daystar University.  She furthered her education with a Master of Arts in Diplomacy and International Studies at the University of Nairobi (2009-2013).

Nyange is also a recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship, which allowed her to pursue a Master of Arts in International Public Relations and Global Communication Management from Cardiff University, graduating in 2020.

Nyange stepped down from the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) on February 9, 2022, to contest the Taita Taveta county seat, which was eventually scooped up by Andrew Mwadime, who ran as an independent candidate.

Mwadime shocked incumbent Granton Samboja with 49,901 votes against Samboja's 23,703 votes.

She featured her editorial works under the weekly #KenyaWomenSeries alongside writer, editor, and communications professional Esther Kiragu, which highlights Kenyan women disrupting the status quo and making a difference.

The series, which Viral Tea had also featured as its landmark project in 2021, helped curate stories of incredible, inspiring, powerhouse Kenyan women.

Former Taita Taveta gubernatorial candidate, Patience Nyange speaking during a media briefing with KEWOLA on October 4, 2022. /COURTESY