Outgoing Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura hands over the Office of the Government Spokesperson to his successor Charles Owino during the official transition ceremony at the Government Spokesperson Media Centre, Harambee House Annex, Nairobi on August 6, 2026/ HANDOUT
Former Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has officially handed over the Office of the Government Spokesperson to his successor Charles Owino, bringing to an end his tenure.
The handover ceremony was held at the Government Spokesperson Media Centre in Harambee House Annex, just weeks after President William Ruto redesignated Mwaura as Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights in the Executive Office of the President.
Addressing staff, government officials and invited guests during the ceremony, Mwaura reflected on his two years and 10 months as Government Spokesperson, saying the office had undergone significant institutional growth during his leadership.
"I stand before you today to deliver my final speech as the Government Spokesperson. It has been an incredible opportunity to serve in this capacity," Mwaura said.
He said that when he assumed office on October 4, 2023, the Government Spokesperson's office operated with an approved establishment of only seven officers but has since grown into a structured institution with a workforce of about 80 people, including security personnel and young professionals.
According to Mwaura, one of his first priorities was to institutionalise the office by creating specialised departments responsible for administration, mainstream media, new media, communication, research, planning and development, programmes and partnerships, and production.
"The Office is now more organised than ever before. The Office of the Government Spokesperson has grown into a well-structured institution," he said.
He said the office also recorded significant growth in resources, with its cumulative budget increasing from Sh36 million to more than Sh535 million during his tenure.
Mwaura noted that despite earlier estimates placing the renovation of the media centre at about Sh60 million, the office renovated the facility for less than Sh1 million, describing it as an example of prudent use of public resources.
"This demonstrates our commitment to value for money and good stewardship of resources," he said.
The outgoing spokesperson also highlighted the office's communication output over the last three years.
He said the office issued 254 weekly press briefings, produced 276 one-minute videos, hosted 175 radio programmes, 121 television programmes and five editions of the Sema na Spox podcast.
According to Mwaura, the office also generated more than 700 government hashtags, produced over 2,500 short videos, 1,280 reels, 844 "Gava Quotes", 180 weekly narratives and 120 live-streaming events.
He said the Mimi ni Mkenya Mzalendo civic education campaign reached 237 schools across the country, while the office also strengthened partnerships with organisations such as Konrad Adenauer Stiftung and promoted inclusive government communication targeting persons with disabilities.
Mwaura said the office consistently coordinated government communication through daily media responses, weekly communication plans and crisis communication strategies, while supporting ministries, state departments and agencies in communicating government programmes.
He described serving as Government Spokesperson as one of the most fulfilling assignments in his public service career.
"As I conclude my tenure, I am proud and fulfilled. Serving as Government Spokesperson has given me a unique vantage point on the nation's affairs," he said.
During the ceremony, the Office of the Government Spokesperson also recognised government institutions, agencies and partners that excelled in public communication.
The National Treasury and Economic Planning was recognised as the best ministry in public communication, followed by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The State Department for Interior and National Administration emerged as the best-performing state department, while the Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya National Highways Authority were recognised among state agencies for excellence in public communication.
The National Gender and Equality Commission was named the best constitutional commission and independent office in public communication, while Konrad Adenauer Stiftung received recognition as the office's best partner organisation.
Mwaura officially handed over the office to Charles Owino, who assumes the role of Government Spokesperson after serving as acting Head of Government Communications in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
President William Ruto announced the leadership changes on July 22 through Presidential Action No. XI of 2026.
Under the changes, Mwaura was promoted and redesignated as Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights in the Executive Office of the President, while Owino was redeployed and appointed Government Spokesperson.
