Ruto Fires Ex-KTN Journalist Kathleen Openda, Hires Former Police Spokesman Charles Owino
Former KTN host Kathleen Openda has been removed from her position as chair of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and replaced by former Police Spokesman Charles Owino.
Friday, Ruto announced in a Gazette Notice that the appointment will begin on September 29, 2023, and last for one year.
KIMC is a state-run educational institution that educates journalists and other communication specialists.
After five years as chief, Openda’s appointment was revoked by the president.
Owino served as the police spokesperson from 2015 to 2021 before entering the political arena.
Initially, he intended to compete for governor of Siaya but later teamed up with former Rarieda MP Gumbo to oppose James Orengo.
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Before this appointment, Owino was the Siaya County Coordinator for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
After acquiring office, Ruto appointed Owino as one of the officials to counter the influence of opposition leader Raila Odinga in the Nyanza region.
Before abandoning him, Owino was a member of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) party and Gumbo’s campaign mate in the 2022 General Election.
UDM was an affiliate party of the Azimio coalition at the time.
Owino withdrew his candidacy and rejoined the police force as the director of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Owino relocated to Kenya Kwanza after President Ruto’s election victory.
Ruto Fires Ex-KTN Journalist Kathleen Openda, Hires Former Police Spokesman Charles Owino