Ongwae taps former NMG political reporter Isaac Ongiri to be his PR guru

Kisii Governor James Ongwae has appointed former Nation senior political reporter Isaac Ongiri as his director of communications.

Ongiri, who also previously worked for The Star and The Standard, replaces Maseme Machuka who has been transferred to the Kisii County Alcoholic Drinks and Liquor Licencing Board.

In the changes to his PR team, Ongwae also transferred deputy director of communications Kenani Miruka to the lands department.

The governor said he tapped Ongiri, who unsuccessfully vied for the Kasipul Kabondo parliamentary seat in last year’s General Election, owing to his vast experience in the media industry.

“I have made the changes to ensure better service delivery in my administration,” he said.

It is not clear why Maseme, a former Standard reporter and ODM deputy director of communications, fell out of favour with the governor but sources indicate Ongwae was not amused when his wife, a former nominated member of the Kisii County Assembly, openly campaigned for his rival Chris Obure in last year’s elections.

“The governor may have been buying time before showing him the door,” said a source who is knowledgeable of the matter.

Ongiri holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and Public Relations from Moi University and a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from the University of Nairobi.

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Soon after his appointment on Wednesday, Ongiri took to social media to highlight some of the achievements the Kisii county government has made, including construction of a 250- bed capacity ultra-modern ward at the Kisii Level V Teaching and Referral Hospital.