Since President William Ruto assumed office following the 2022 general elections, several journalists have transitioned into government roles, serving in various capacities. While some voluntarily ditched the newsroom for greener pastures in the public service, others were targeted by the state, coerced and poached.
This article takes a look at the journalists who have joined the government since Ruto became President.
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Sophia Wanuna
Sophia Wanuna, a former KTN journalist, was appointed Deputy Director and Head of the Directorate of Public Affairs and Corporate Communication at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on April 29, 2023.
Before joining the JSC, Sophia worked at Standard Media Group for 11 years, starting in 2011, where she rose to the position of Deputy Managing Editor.
She began her career at KBC in 2008 and later joined K24 (Mediamax Network) in 2010. Wanuna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, specializing in Public Relations, from Daystar University.
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Hassan Mugambi
Hassan Mugambi left Royal Media Services (RMS) to take on a communication role at the Ministry of Defense under then-Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
At RMS, he served as a crime reporter and Kiswahili news anchor for the program “Sema na Citizen.”
He departed from Citizen TV in March 2024 after an 8-year tenure at the station. Mugambi also worked at Media Max Limited as a news anchor before his time at RMS.
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Francis Gachuri
Francis Gachuri, a former journalist at Citizen TV, currently serves as the Secretary of Strategic Communications in the Office of the Deputy President, Professor Kithure Kindiki.
Gachuri left RMS on March 1, 2023, after a 15-year career at the media house, where he held various roles.
By the time of his exit, Gachuri, a seasoned and bilingual journalist was an editor.
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He initially joined the Ministry of Interior as the Head of Communications before being transferred to the Office of the Deputy President after Kindiki assumed office.
Gachuri holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Moi University.
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Roselyne Obala
Roselyne Obala joined the Ministry of Interior in February 2025 as a Communications Advisor and Director to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
Before her appointment, she served as the political and assignment editor at NTV for three years.
Prior to that, Roselyne worked for Standard Group for nearly 15 years, holding various positions within the company.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Maseno University and a master’s degree in development communication from the University of Nairobi.
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Kennedy Murithi
Kennedy Murithi works as a Political Advisor at the office of Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
Before joining Muthomi’s government, Murithi worked as a Senior Political Affairs journalist at NTV, for nearly 10 years.
6. Karen Karimi Knaust
Former TV 47 News Anchor, Karen Karimi Knaust is also one of notable journalists who have landed jobs in government.
She left TV 47 in November 2022 after being appointed as Kilifi Communications Director by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
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Before joining TV 47, Karimi worked as a News Anchor and Wildlife Reporter at K24, Media Max.
Karimi holds a bachelor’s in business administration, Human Resource Management and Services from Kenya Methodist.
She also holds a Diploma in Public Relations from the same institution.
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