Former Kenya Defense Forces spokesman Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna said 'it's pleasure to be appointed to communicate on behalf of government', adding that he will perform the job with a lot of desire.

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ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru on Tuesday replaced Eric Kiraithe, a former Police spokesman, with Oguna, a career soldier whose coverage on the KDF war against Al-Shabaab brought him to publish limelight.

Mr Mucheru said Col Oguna would play oversight role in all government communication agencies including those situated in counties and other public communication entities.

“Colonel (Rtd) Oguna shall have oversight role on all Government of Kenya communication channels under the Ministry of ICT. These include; Directorate of Information and all County and Sub-County Information officers, Department of Public Communication and all the officers seconded to various ministries and government agencies, National Government Communication Centre (NGCC) and the Government Media Centre, currently located on the 11th floor of Telposta Towers,” Mr Mucheru announced.

Since the exit of Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua from government communication office in 2012, the government has struggled to find for his perfect replacement. Although Mutua at times would issue contradicting information, his press releases were common and frequent.

And the retired KDF man now says he's ready to serve the government and revamp the communication department to expected levels. He thanked Mr Mucheru for recommending him for the position, in the changes that were not anticipated.

“It’s a pleasure to be appointed to communicate on behalf of the government. This is a job I look forward to executing with desire,” he told Nation on Tuesday after ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru announced his appointment.

For close to three years, Oguna served as spokesman for a rather secretive KDF which changed its tactics in 2011. After his exit in 2014, he was posted to Tanzania as Defense attaché, a post he held for three years.

He returned to the lucrative National Defense College situated in Karen where he played communication role. However, he recently retired before his appointment to the position that will give him an opportunity to reconnect with members of the public.