Former long serving National Police Service spokesman Charles Owino has made it to the final list of those shortlisted for the government’s spokesman job.
The Public Service Commision is yet to make public the list.
We have however learnt from reliable sources within the state’s machinery that at least six candidates have been selected to interview for the job. Also in the list are editors from leading media houses.
The position fell vacant in October last year after its previous occupant Colonel Cyrus Oguna resigned to take up a job at the Siaya County as Chief of Staff to governor James Orengo.
Oguna was directly appointed to the position in 2019 by former ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru. His predecessor Eric Kiraithe was also a direct appointee.
The Kenya Kwanza government has however taken a different approach. The Public Service Commision in February announced that the position of government spokesman will be filled competitively.
For one to be an eligible applicant, one needs to be a Kenyan citizen, served for a minimum period of 15 years as a media or communication practitioner.
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communication and Media Studies, or Social Sciences or qualifications in similar fields.
PSC says fluency in English and Kiswahili, both written and spoken, is mandatory as well as excellent communication skills.
The new holder of the post will earn a basic salary of between Sh292,000-Sh576,120 as well as enjoy House Allowance, Entertainment Allowance, Domestic Allowance, and Extraneous Allowance of Sh100,000 each.
The successful applicant will oversee government communications.
