NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Police Spokesperson Charles Owino has been appointed Director General of the newly established National Communications Centre, a body tasked with coordinating government communications across all ministries, departments, and agencies.
Owino’s appointment comes at a time when the government is seeking to enhance public engagement and address widespread concerns about the clarity and accessibility of its policies.
The move follows President William Ruto’s repeated acknowledgment of gaps in communication that have hampered public understanding of his administration’s programmes.
One of the most notable incidence was the backlash against the 2024 Finance Bill.
Many Kenyans rejected the bill, which introduced new tax measures, with Ruto blaming the poor reception on ineffective communication from his team.
“We did not explain ourselves better… our communication architecture did not deliver. The message did not get out to the people,” Ruto admitted, noting that better communication could have prevented much of the opposition to the bill.
Owino’s new role is expected to address these challenges, particularly as the government grapples with increasing criticism over policies like the new university funding model and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
The university funding model, in particular, has drawn mixed reactions, with the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) challenging its practicality in court.
Justice Chacha Mwita recently issued a temporary injunction, halting the model’s implementation pending further deliberation.
The SHIF has also caused confusion, with both the public and government officials seemingly unclear on key details, such as how contributions from non-employed individuals should be calculated and the status of a means-testing instrument intended to guide payments.
This uncertainty has fueled frustration, as citizens question whether certain ministers fully understand the policies they are tasked with implementing.
As the head of the National Communications Centre, Owino’s task will be to coordinate government messaging, ensuring that policies and programmes are communicated effectively to regain public trust.
