Francis Gachuri Quits Citizen TV After Ruto's Govt Poaches Him
On Wednesday, March 1, the Newsgang panellist was appointed as...
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Citizen TV Political Editor Francis Gachuri has resigned from the Royal Media Services (RMS) station.
Sources told Viral Tea that Gachuri was poached by the Ministry of Interior for a job in the communications position in President William Ruto's government.
On Wednesday, March 1, the Newsgang panellist was appointed as the new Secretary of Strategic Communications at the Ministry, headed by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki.
"Yes, it's true. He has confirmed," stated one of the sources.
"He bid staff goodbye today at an editorial meeting. Though he will still be around next week. He is not leaving immediately," stated another source.
During the editorial meeting held every week, Gachuri confirmed that he would leave the station at the end of this week, further reminiscing his accolades during his time at the country's largest TV station.
"On September 1, 2007, I joined RMS as a political reporter. 5,660 days later, I announce my exit to take up another national assignment. I am grateful and humbled by the many experiences, lessons, and opportunities I have had in the industry," he stated.
“I have called this place home, when I came here, I was a young man, who did not even have a family then. All my major milestones have happened while I was here. Now I have two families, my wife and kids and as well as the RMS family that includes my colleagues, our viewers, listeners and readers ”
His colleagues posed questions to him on his next move, but he responded with "I am not going to another media house."
Gachuri thanked the company owners, chairman SK Macharia and Vice-Chair Mrs Macharia together with the MD Wachira Waruru as well as other directors like Linus Kaikai, Fred Afune, Latifah Ngunjiri, Moses Karanja, Micheal Ngugi and Carol Wanyama for being an integral part of his career.
"I thank God for everything. I have the rare privilege of working with the very best in the industry. My colleagues are the best. Team excellence. The invaluable guidance of my bosses will always be truly appreciated," he said.
As a head of communications, Gachuri's job is to ensure all communication functions align with the Ministry of Interior's overall messaging and outreach strategy. He will be further expected to pay close attention to the brand's values and how they are expressed in writing or verbally by the company's representatives.
He will also ensure internal memos to employees are on-brand, and public relations maintain a positive image of the Ministry of Interior and National Coordination.
Since the role is fast-paced and dynamic, the Head of Communications will need to be a quick thinker and a great communicator to articulate their thoughts well as well as thrive in high-pressure environments to lead teams of communication specialists in responding to public relations crises.
At the Ministry, the head of communications mostly delivers the message to the press or at an event.
Gachuri has been at Citizen TV for the last 16 years and has grown to be a national icon on television screens owing to his reporting on matters of politics.
Born on December 23, 1980, he attended Senior Chief Koinange High School which is a mixed school in Kiambu. He then proceeded to Moi University where he pursued a degree in Communication and Journalism.
Interestingly, the Royal Media Services (RMS) was where he started his career and has traversed several roles; Senior Political Reporter, Editor, and Commentator on the NewsGang programme.
At RMS' Kikuyu TV station, Inooro TV, Gachuri also works as a News Presenter, where he hosts a programme known as Kiririmbi that broadcasts between 8 pm and 9 pm. On the Kiririmbi show, Gachuri often hosts people with divergent views on politics and current affairs, especially those from Kenya's political divide.
At Newsgang, he shares his views on recent occurrences in the political divide alongside Yvonne Okwara, Jamila Mohamed and Linus Kaikai every Thursday from 10 pm to midnight.
Gachuri was picked to moderate the 2022 deputy presidential debate alongside Zubeida Kananu of KTN News held on July 19, 2022, which took place at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) main campus in Karen, Nairobi.
Roots party running mate Justina Wamae and Agano Party Presidential running mate Ruth Mucheru Mutua during deputy president debate at CUEA on July 19, 2022. /PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES KENYA
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