Francis Gachuri, the political editor and journalist, has been appointed the interior ministry's head of communications.
The celebrated Kenyan journalist announced his exit from citizen tv, where he has worked for over 16 years. Gachuri, heading to the Ministry of Interior and National Administration as the Secretary of Strategic Communications, said in an emotional goodbye to his coworkers on Wednesday morning during a weekly Editorial team meeting that he will be leaving the station at the end of this week.
"On September 1, 2007, I joined RMS as a political reporter. 5,660 days later, I announce my exit to take up another national assignment. I am grateful and humbled by the many experiences, lessons, and opportunities I have had in the industry," he said in a meeting.
"I had called this place home, when I came here, I was a young man, who did not even have a family then. All my major milestones have happened while I was here. Now I have two families, my wife and kids and as well as the RMS family that includes my colleagues, our viewers, listeners and readers.
"I am not going to another media house," he said
He expressed gratitude to the company's owners, chairman SK Macharia and Vice-Chairwoman Mrs Macharia, as well as MD Wachira Waruru and other directors such as Linus Kaikai, Fred Afune, Latifah Ngunjiri, Moses Karanja, Micheal Ngugi, and Carol Wanyama, for being an integral part of his career.
"I thank God for everything. I have the rare privilege of working with the very best in the industry. My colleagues are the best. Team excellence. The invaluable guidance of my bosses will always be truly appreciated," he said.
Gachuri now joins the likes of carol Radull and Dennis Itumbi, who are all former journalists who now work for the government.
