Public Relations expert Dr Wilfred Marube, has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (Brand.KE) for a period of three years.
The agency, hailed as one of the most successful government mergers last year, is a merger between the then country’s marketing agency, Brand Kenya Board and Export Promotion Council (EPC), which was gazetted in August 2019. The new agency strives to be an integrated one-stop-shop for exports promotion and country branding initiatives in the country.
Vast experience
Dr Marube is a practitioner and researcher in the field of communication management who has made tremendous contribution to the public relations industry. He has served in various capacities to advance excellence in public relations and is the current serving President of the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), the professional membership body for all public relations practitioners.
He is also a member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management Board and serves as the Delegate-at-Large for Africa.
Dr Marube takes over from former CEO Peter Biwott, whose term lapsed in early April, to head the more than 100 staff members at the agency from the two merged institutions.
The chairman of the Board, Mr Jas Bedi, thanked the Board for picking Dr Marube for the top job saying his vast experience in communication management is what the agency needs most especially as COVID-19 continues to bite. “As a board, we are confident that Dr Marube will steer the Agency’s mandate and the country to greatness,” said Mr Bedi.
For his part, Dr Marube pledged his commitment to work closely with management and board to transform Kenya into a top global brand. “I am happy to join this team that is passionate about the country. Since we are living in unprecedented times with COVID 19 biting into the economy, we will have to re-align our focus and work with a sense of urgency to promote Kenyan exports innovatively and bring back this country to its glory before COVID 19,” he added.
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As he takes over, part of his in-tray will be to harmonize the internal culture of the agency that has been in existence for less than one year that comprises staff from two different institutions. As the head of the country’s key marketing Agency, his greatest assignment will also be to ensure Kenya’s positive narrative prevails amongst citizens and international audiences amidst adverse effects of COVID 19 that has affected people’s lives and livelihoods.
Dr Marube has developed and reviewed communication strategies for public institutions including the National Council for Population Development, Office of the Auditor-General and the Public Relations Society of Kenya.He is a graduate of Moi University (Bachelor’s and PhD programmes) and Egerton University (Masters).
Other members present during the short induction ceremony includedboard members Kathleen Kihanya, Mark Bichachi, Jaqueline Muga and Leah Baraza.
