Ex-police spokesman Charles Owino to head National Communication Centre

 

Former police spokesman Charles Owino

Former police spokesman Charles Owino is set to make a comeback in government as the Director General of the newly established National Communication Centre, reliable sources have informed the Star.

This is a new government entity formed to coordinate government communications.

Owino and a few former journalists and government officials have been building the centre to be based at Teleposta Towers with an aim of rolling out its activities in days.

The centre will coordinate all communication activities on a 24 hour basis using all forms of social media channels and even their website being created.

Owino’s appointment was made silently even as his term as the chairman of the Council of the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication ended.

The term came to an end last month and Silas Otieno Jonyo was appointed to replace Owino.

Insiders said Owino has the backing of State House to build his team.

“The issue is now in last stages and will be rolled out soon,” said an official aware of the developments.

There are, however reports of resistance from some government officials within the communication sector who feel the new centre is coming to take over their operations.

Owino and his team have been consulting widely on how they can make the centre more vibrant and effective in the wake of the Gen-Z protests, which have been blamed on a lack of proper communication.

The president demanded the need to have one voice.

“The CS will remain the main spokesperson of their departments. The new center will be there to complement what the government has reported.”

“The center will explain in details on what is happening,” said an insider. 

BY CYRUS OMBATI