NAIROBI – Veteran journalist Emmanuel Juma has been named head of communication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua made the announcement on Thursday.
“I have today welcomed renowned journalist and editor/producer Mr Emmanuel Juma as the Ministry’s Head of Communication. He brings a wealth of experience in all media areas and has the personality, creativity and drive to enable the Ministry communicate its Foreign and Diaspora positions more effectively,” CS Mutua said.
Mutua also announced that the ministry will starting September hold regular press conferences to brief the nation on foreign and diaspora matters.
The media sessions, to be named The Foreign Brief, will be presided over either by Mutua himself or either of the two principal secretaries – Korir Sing’oei (Foreign Affairs) or Roseline Njogu (Diaspora Affairs) – in his absence.
The move seeks to bridge a communication gap that foreign affairs observers took note in the Kenya Kwanza government on Kenya’s foreign policy, at a time the position of Government Spokesperson remain vacant months after the administration took over.
This have often gotten Foreign Affairs PS Korir to issue statements on social media to clarify remarks touching on Kenyans position on international issues made by other senior government officers.
The political leadership at the ministry has also been accused of being unresponsive to media enquiries, save for PS Njogu.
The appointment of Juma, popularly known for his BullsEye political humour show, is expected to create a smooth working relationship with the media, given his long service in the industry spanning more than 15 years.
Juma had on August 7 been appointed Director Governor’s Press Service in Busia county.
