Ruto Hires Former Police Spokesman Charles Owino, Fires Ex-KTN Journalist

President William Ruto has appointed former Police Spokesperson Charles Owino to the position of Chairperson of the Council of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC), replacing former KTN presenter Kathleen Openda.

In a gazette notice dated Friday, September 29, the Head of State announced that the appointment takes effect immediately, and will last for one year, until October 5, 2024.

"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.

Screengrab of former KTN presenter, Kathleen Openda. /YOUTUBE

"The appointment* of Kathleen Openda is revoked," read the notice.

The President revoked Openda's appointment after she served her five-year term.

The Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) was established in 1961 and was named the then Voice of Kenya Training School. The state learning institution trains journalists and other communication professionals.

Owino was prior to this appointment serving as the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Siaya County Coordinator.

He was appointed to the role on July 19, 2023, with UDA Secretary-General, Cleophas Malala, revealing at the time that the ex-Siaya gubernatorial aspirant came in to replace Dianga Waore. 

Waore's seat fell vacant after he was appointed the Chairman of the Lake Region Development Authority by the Kenya Kwanza government.

Owino's role at the party involved enhancing the delivery of party programmes and activities within the county.

He quit the Siaya gubernatorial race in 2022 and instead sought to deputize former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo while he was a member of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party. In May 2022, Owino again withdrew from the race to return to the National Police Service (NPS).

UDM at the time was an affiliate of the Azimio la Umoja coalition. 

The former police boss rejoined the Service to serve as the Director of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons. After President Ruto won the elections, he decamped to Kenya Kwanza.

President William Ruto during the swearing-in of the ODPP at State House on September 25, 2023. /PCS