Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga has made a public apology to communications strategist and Azimio blogger Pauline Njoroge over what she termed as condescending remarks.
The apology came after a back-and-forth confrontation between the two on X.
In the tweet Pauline Njoroge questioned the government over land that was allegedly grabbed from a county government and given to a private developer.
“There’s something I don’t seem to be understanding. The government takes public land in a county and gives to a private developer for free to build affordable housing. The developer then sells or rent those houses,” tweeted Njoroge.
However, in a quick rejoinder the Housing PS Charles Hinga bashed her off claiming she was being hypocritical with her questions.
“The hypocrisy about these bloggers is that she supported the same program under jubilee in fact she was like the GOK spokesperson on affordable housing then suddenly she does not understand anything,” responded Housing PS Hinga.
According to Pauline Njoroge PS Hinga’s response was arrogant and insulting. She said the PS attacked her for asking simple questions.
“It’s unbecoming of a public servant to take the route you took. When Kenyans ask questions, your work as a public servant is to respond to those questions, not to insult them,” said Njoroge.
Housing PS Hinga Renders his Apology
However, PS Hinga while rendering his apology, clarified his previous response to Pauline noting that Pauline had supported the same policies she was making inquiries on under the Jubilee government.
Also Read: Court Rules on Pauline Njoroge Case
“I apologize didn’t intend any disrespect. I choose to respond to you because I was wondering what changed between then and now. In the last posting I attached a video of Baba agitating the same policy we are implementing, same policy you supported under jubilee. Let’s rest the matter,” said Charles Hinga.
As such Pauline Njoroge noted that she had no issue with his response but the condescending manner in which the PS responded.
“Responding to me was not the issue, being condescending was,” she noted.
Additionally, the blogger went ahead to criticize leaders who called journalists illiterates as well as dismissing them when questioning loans taken by the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“First there was Ichung’wa calling radio presenters illiterates when they questioned the loans being taken by this administration. Then there is you (PS Hinga) dismissing people as bloggers when they ask questions on social media,” Njoroge added.
Pauline Njoroge Calls Out Public Servants
Likewise, the Jubilee deputy organizng secretary called out public servants to be accountable to the public while expressing her dissatisfaction with the two leaders.
“This is a worrying trend. It shows a crop of public servants who do not want to be accountable, so to run away from the matter at hand they either insult people or start saying this or the other about the previous administration,” tweeted Njoroge.
Also Read: Ps Hinga Says he Previously Discussed Affordable Housing Agenda with Raila
Who is Pauline Njoroge?
Worth noting, Pauline Njoroge came to the social media lame light in 2017 during the heights of Jubilee campaigns.
After the elections, Njoroge set up a ‘Jubilee Social Media Cabinet’ whose main role was to run pro-government digital campaigns in support of Jubilee’s delivery unit platform.
She also worked with Uhuru’s government as a consultant digital media strategist.
Likewise, Njoroge is among the new officials nominated to replace rebel members who have joined the Kenya Kwanza coalition in April 2023.
She was nominated as the deputy organizing secretary for Jubilee party.
