Following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, October 17, senior officers and advisors in his office have received instructions to vacate office and proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect.
The affected individuals include journalists and politicians who have served the outgoing Deputy President since he assumed office over two years ago.
At the same time, all Heads of Departments were directed to ensure they designate, in writing, a responsible officer to be in charge of their respective departments with a copy to the Chief of staff and the Principal Administrative Secretary.
According to a memo dated October 19, 108 senior officers and advisors have been affected by the immediate orders requiring them to comply by 12 noon on Saturday.
“Following the ongoing Constitutional process affecting His Excellency the Deputy President, it has been decided as follows; All officers in Job Groups T and U are hereby instructed to proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect,” the memo reads in part.
“All serving officers in Supernumerary Contracts shall also proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect.”
Journalists in the Office of Former DP Gachagua Sent Home on Leave
Among those journalists affected is Catherine Rugene Njeri, a veteran journalist and former NTV employee, who was serving as the Head of the Deputy Presidential Communication Service (DPCS).
Njeri brings over 25 years of experience in reporting, writing, and editing to the table.
Before her appointment, she worked as a consultant editor and columnist at the Daily Nation. Njeri holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Literature and Kiswahili from the University of Nairobi, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Also Read: List of Gachagua’s Staff Given Orders to Vacate Office by Midday [EXCLUSIVE]
Former KBC and K24 journalist, Rose Gakuo, another prominent figure is also facing a compulsory leave after serving as Secretary of State functions.
Gakuo previously led Public Relations at the now-defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
Rose Gakuo attended Laikipia University and graduated in 2015 with a First-Class Honours degree in Communication and Media.
Additionally, Francis Mwongela Mikwa, the Senior Director of Communication in the Deputy President’s Office, finds himself on the list of those taking leave.
Before this role, he was the Head of Corporate Communications at the National Council for Population & Development and worked as a Public Relations Officer at The Co-operative University of Kenya.
Mikwa holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, a master’s degree in communication studies, and a PhD in Communication Studies.
Robert Breen Laban, a former NTV journalist who worked as a Public Communication Officer in the Deputy President’s office for less than a month, has also been sent on compulsory leave.
Furthermore, Anne Njeri Kanina, another ex-NTV journalist and founder of Kiambu Magazine, who served as the Deputy Director of Communication, is among those affected.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Rigathi Gachagua’s Staff Sent Home [Details]
Politicians Allied to Gachagua Sent Packing
The list also includes prominent politicians like George Theuri, the former Member of Parliament for Embakasi West who was working as an advisor.
Theuri, a close ally of Gachagua, began his political career as an Umoja One councilor in 2007.
He later became the first Embakasi West MP under The National Alliance party in 2013, holding the position until 2022 when he lost to MP Mark Mureithi Mwenje.
Former Nyeri Town MP Martin Ngunjiri Wambugu is also included on the list of staff members sent on compulsory leave.
Wambugu’s appointment as a political advisor came this year, following a period of political obscurity after losing his seat to Duncan Mathenge of the United Democratic Alliance Party (UDA).
The politician had previously made his entry into elective politics in the 2017 general election under the Jubilee Party ticket, where he defeated the incumbent, Esther Murugi.
Before joining the Jubilee coalition, he served as the Director of Political Affairs at the Orange Democratic Movement Party (ODM) during the run-up to the 2013 elections.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaB3k54HltYFiQ1f2i2C
