Living the State House dream, for many, is akin hitting a jackpot. But for the chosen few who were accorded the prestigious title of government or State House spokesperson, the rewards that followed were more than that dream. Most of the individuals who hold these offices are always seen, and are, the President's right-hand persons.
For the likes of Manoah Esipisu and Isaiya Kabira, the Presidents they served picked them to represent Kenya in foreign countries as envoys. But what happened to the rest? Where did they go to? Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at former spokespersons who got highly rewarded.
Manoah Esipisu
Esipisu was picked by President Uhuru Kenyatta in the year 2013 and appointed the State House spokesperson, an office currently occupied by former Citizen TV news anchor Kanze Dena. Upon serving in the first term of the Jubilee administration, Esipisu was redeployed by the government to work as Kenya's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a role he holds to date.
The current diplomat established his career as a journalist, working in notable media houses such as Standard Group LTD before joining the global newswire, Reuters.
He then worked at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, where he served as the spokesperson and Deputy Director of Communication and Public Affairs.
Prior to his appointment as the State House spokesperson, he served as a special assistant to the President of the African Development Bank (AFDB).
Isaiya Kabira
Working under then Presidential Press Service (PPS), currently Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU), Kabira served as the State House spokesperson under the President (Rtd.) Mwai Kibaki's regime.
He served from January 2003 to 2013 and oversaw the transition from the Grand Coalition government, that was led by Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, to the Jubilee administration. Before joining the government in 2003, he worked with various private local media firms.
Much like his successor, he also landed an ambassadorial after being appointed to serve as Kenyan's High Commissioner to Canberra, Australia.
Lee Njiru
His name is synonymous of the KANU leadership under the late President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.
Njiru served as Moi's spokesperson and press secretary during his tenure as President and after. He also doubled up as the Moi family's spokesperson.
He continued with the role as family spokesperson even after the retirement of the former President.
According to available records, Njiru served Moi and his family for 40 years.
Among other benefits he continues to enjoy include state workers, government homes under heavy police surveillance, as well as retirement benefits.
Alfred Mutua
Although the current Machakos Governor was not expressly the State House spokesperson, his role as the government mouthpiece placed him at the high table as he served under President Kibaki.
He occupied the highly revered office between June 2004 and September 2012. He is remembered for his Thursday's press briefings at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). He was once roped into controversy after he denied reports of people starving to death following prolonged droughts in the norther part of the country.
As much as he was not awarded a job or top office by the government he served, in a recent interview, he disclosed that he received a briefcase with millions from President Kibaki after he made an announcement that he would seek the Machakos gubernatorial seat, a position he still holds.
