May 16th 2019
By Milka Ndoncho

The Government has moved the offices of the Government spokesperson and the National Government Communication Center from the Ministry of the Interior and Coordination of National government to the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology.

Announcing the development at the Government Media center at the Telposta Towers today, the ICT Principal Secretary, Mr. Jerome Ochieng said, the move to have the two institutions hosted by the Ministry of ICT is aimed at streamlining and strengthening the national government communication.

Mr. Ochieng said Retired Colonel Cyrus Oguna has been appointed as the new Government Spokesperson to take over from Eric Kiraithe who has been appointed the Principal Administrative Secretary for the Ministry of ICT.

Retired Colonel Cyrus Oguna said he is open to dialogue with members of the press and the public to achieve awareness of the government policies and programs in line with the Constitution.

“It is my wish that we walk together with the citizens and share in their expectations and aspirations in life’, said Col. (rtd) Cyrus Oguna.

Col.(rtd) Oguna said, embracing the digital economy is not a choice and that the Kenya’s Digital Economy Blue Print that has been launched focuses on five pillars that include digitization of government and businesses, development of digital infrastructure, development of innovation driven entrepreneurship and the digital skills

He said Kenya has already reaped the fruits from the digital economy noting that data from National Household Survey show that over 600, 000 Kenyans benefited from digitally created jobs between February 2018 and February this year.

He said farmers have also been able to have direct access to markets while Telemedicine are now possible to be practiced in some private hospitals because of the advancements in digital development in the country.

Outgoing government spokesperson Mr. Erick Kiraithe called on the media to verify information before disseminating to the public. Mr Kiraithe also urged the media to partner with the government to ensure the public engage in national discourse and get information to enable them make informed decision.