BY PETER KARANJA
Former Citizen TV journalist Hussein Mohammed has joined DP William Ruto’s presidential campaign team.
Hussein was on Monday, January 24, appointed Head of Communications in Ruto’s Presidential Campaigns.
The communication was made by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in a tweet.
The tweet read: “Hussein Mohammed, renowned TV journalist, has been appointed Head of Communications in the William Ruto Presidential Campaign. Welcome to the Hustler team.”
Reacting to the appointment, Hussein said: “Asante Your Excellency! I share with the hustler story and so do 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!”
The appointment seemed to have come as a surprise with many wondering what became of Dennis Itumbi who is believed to have been calling the shots on matters communication within UDA.
Others have argued that Ruto is on a sanitizing mission especially given the negative publicity that has dogged Itumbi – with the last one being a wrong crowd picture Itumbi shared on his social media pages.
The post attracted widespread condemnation – forcing Itumbi to delete it.
Meanwhile, Hussein Mohammed will have his work cut out for him, given he is coming from a news background – and having sold himself a straightforward individual.
The appointment will also see Hussein compete against his former boss SK Macharia’s choice candidate in former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Mohammed who defines himself as a Development and Political Communication consultant, resigned from Citizen TV in October 2019 after a 10-year stint.
At Citizen he hosted News Night and “The Big Question” – where he had the opportunity to interview DP Ruto on a number of occasions.