In January 2022, Mohamed Hussein was appointed Head of Communications for Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential campaign. Before this significant role, Mohamed was a respected TV anchor at Citizen TV. However, he left the station in October 2019 following a fallout with some colleagues. After his departure, Mohamed kept a relatively low profile.
The seeds of his exit can be traced back to 2018 when Royal Media Services (RMS) underwent a major restructuring. The restructuring saw the hiring of several high-profile professionals, including Editorial Director Joe Ageyo, Strategy Director Linus Kaikai, and journalist Yvonne Okwara, among others, to form a so-called “Dream Team.” These new recruits received substantial salaries, nearly double what the existing team was earning. This disparity caused tension between the “old” and “new” employees, ultimately leading to the departure of prominent journalists like Mohamed Hussein, Dorcas Wangira, Saida Swaleh, Makori Ongechi, and Asha Mwilu. Joe Ageyo, too, left RMS in March 2022.
Fast forward to October 2022, President William Ruto appointed Mohamed Hussein as the State House Spokesperson, a move announced by Joseph Kinyua, the outgoing Head of Public Service. “It is notified that His Excellency William Ruto has, on October 14, made various appointments to the senior ranks of the Executive Office of the President,” Kinyua declared.
Hussein’s new role marked a significant milestone, as he became the second former Citizen TV journalist to serve as State House Spokesperson after Kanze Dena, who held the position under former President Uhuru Kenyatta. His appointment followed his pivotal role as Ruto’s communications director during the presidential campaign, contributing to Ruto’s victory.
Additionally, David Mugonyi, who had served as Ruto’s communications director during his tenure as Deputy President, was promoted to Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PSC). Notably, Ruto had renamed PSC from the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU) through an Executive Order issued on October 13, 2022.
In his new capacity, Hussein is tasked with issuing statements on behalf of President Ruto, providing updates on government projects, and overseeing digital messaging, research, branding, and press coordination at State House. His role positions him as a key figure in shaping the government’s communication strategy.
Reflecting on his decision to join Ruto’s team in January 2022, Hussein emphasized his alignment with the bottom-up economic model. He stated that Ruto’s vision for a paradigm shift in governance resonated with him deeply. “I share 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 remarked.
