Hussein Mohamed, a former Citizen TV anchor, was appointed State House Spokesperson on Friday, October 14.
Joseph Kinyua, Head of Public Service, ratified the appointment on behalf of President William Ruto.
Previously, Hussein Mohamed directed communications at WSR.
Why Hussein joined William Ruto’s polls team
In 2009, broadcast journalist Hussein Mohamed was sent to interview William Ruto, then the minister for Agriculture.
The two struck a rapport instantly and from then on a strong bond started that gave the journalist accesses, mainly through prime-time television interviews, to the politician who would later rise to be Deputy President.
Earlier this year, Hussein revealed why he accepted William Ruto’s job after being unveiled as head of communication in the then DP Ruto’s Presidential campaign.
“Hussein Mohammed, the renowned TV journalist, has been appointed Head of Communications in the William Ruto Presidential Campaign. Welcome to the Hustler team,” Ruto wrote on his official social media page.
Revealing the reason for accepting the job offer, Hussein noted that he shares in Ruto’s hustler narrative which, according to him, further resonates with other many Kenyans.
The journalist also made it clear Ruto’s idea of driving a paradigm shift is what attracted him to accept the job offer.
Hussein thanked Ruto for appointing him to head his presidential campaign’s communication ahead of the August 9 election.
“I share with the hustler story and so do the majority of Kenyans. Nothing gives me more pleasure than being part of this team that is driving a paradigm shift in our politics and ultimately, governance from top-down, to bottom-up,” Hussein wrote on his social media page on Monday, January 24.
His role will entail drafting and spearheading communication channeled out from Ruto’s side and crafting a niche towards making the second in command the next head of state.
The celebrated journalist quit TV in October 2019 ending a career spanning close to 10 years to focus on other issues.
“It has been a wonderful 10 years at Citizen TV. I have enjoyed and relished every moment I shared with my colleagues at RMS,” Hussein explained.
At Citizen TV, he hosted News Night which is currently being hosted by Wahiga Mwaura. On the show, he interviewed top political figures during prime time news including President Uhuru Kenyatta, DP Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga among others.
His exemplary skills earned him the Order of the Burning Spear, a prestigious award conferred by the head of state.
“I’m humbled and honored to receive the award of the ‘Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear’, MBS. Thank you President Uhuru Kenyatta Indeed serving the nation is the true calling. To the nation that I served and will serve, thank you for the support. Again, see you soon,” Hussein wrote on December 20, 2019, after being conferred with the award.
After bagging the award, Hussein maintained a low profile taking up consultancy roles and other communication-related side hustles.
