Citizen TV reporter has been appointed as the Director of Communication and spokesperson for the Kwale County Government.
Confirming the news, Nicky Gitonga noted that he was subjected to an intensive selection process. The position, he said, fell vacant after Salim Mvurya’s administration left office.
He exuded confidence that his new role would accord him an opportunity to serve the county residents.
“Yes, it’s true. The work of a director of communications is on a contractual basis for a five-year term. So, with a new county government comes new leadership. I saw the position and applied, through God’s grace I made it through,” he stated.
The journalist will be responsible for managing and directing the county’s internal and external communications, supervising public relations staff, creating communication strategies, and will also serve as the key spokesperson and media contact for the devolved unit.
Gitonga, who worked at Citizen TV for eight years as a news correspondent in Kwale County, will begin his role in a month’s time after serving notice at the Royal Media Services (RMS).
Governor Fatuma Achani became the first female Coastal governor after clinching 59,674 votes edging out her closest competitor, ODM’s Hamadi Boga who got 53, 972.
Gitonga becomes the latest journalist to leave the media space for county government jobs. In August 2020, K24 TV’s Franklin Wambugu was appointed as the chief officer in charge of communications and public relations in Kiambu.
Former NTV journalist, Richard Chacha, also served as Mombasa’s Director of Communications under former Governor Hassan Joho.
Others include KTN’s Carol Nderi who left the station to work in the Nyeri County government and Ebru TV’s Victor Wetende who landed a spokesperson role in Vihiga County.
The media landscape is likely to experience shocks of talent poaching, as new governors headhunt communication experts.
