Former State House spokesperson and media practitioner, Kanze Dena Mararo, rejected a state job offer from ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta in April 2022 when he rewarded loyalists in his government.
Insiders at State House told Kenyans.co.ke that Uhuru had offered Kanze an ambassadorial job alongside Tomas Kwaka Omolo (Big Ted), former Dagoretti South Member of Parliament, Dennis Waweru, and former ICT Principal Secretary, Bitange Ndemo, among others.
However, the former Citizen TV anchor who also served as the head of the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit humbly declined to take the overseas job and requested to remain in Kenya.
“Kanze was loyal to the President, dedicated to her work and she was to be appointed an ambassador when Uhuru appointed envoys,” the source close to the former president divulged.
He, nonetheless, did not clarify how Uhuru reacted to Kanze’s decision, but added that the President respected her choice and also surprised her with another gift.
“The 4th president, nonetheless, rewarded Kanze for her dedication and service to the nation.
“He surprised her with cash worth millions,” the insider stated declining to quote the exact amount Kanze received.
The former Citizen TV anchor was cagey with the details of the gift package and also declined to comment on the matter.
“Thank you… no comment,” she told Kenyans.co.ke in response to the matter. We, however, wished her well in her endeavours and appreciated her service to the nation.
“Asante,” she added.
In the appointments, Uhuru made in April 2022, Dennis Waweru was appointed as Kenya's Consul General at the Kenyan Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tomas Kwaka Omolo - Big Ted - was appointed Consul General to Los Angeles.
Bitange Ndemo and Caroline Wanjiku assumed the roles of Kenya's Ambassadors to Belgium, and Denmark respectively.
Others were Ambassador Diana Kiambuthi (Rwanda), Ambassador Michael Oyugi (Spain) Maj Gen (Rtd) Thomas Chepkuto (Somalia), Leonard Boiyo (Turkey), Ambassador Isaac Njenga (Tanzania) Maj Gen (Rtd) George Owinow (Uganda).
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, July 13, Uhuru bestowed the Chief of the Order of Burning Spear (CBS) to Kanze Dena.
The former State House Spokesperson was also one of Uhuru’s loyalists who were overwhelmed by emotions during the former president’s military farewell parade on Friday, September 9 at Lang’ata Barracks.
She was captured struggling to hold back her tears as she sang the National Anthem.
