Former Nation politics writer Wanjohi Githae has been appointed director of communications for the Deputy President William Ruto-backed United Democratic Alliance.
Secretary general Veronica Maina announced Githae’s appointment ahead of the busy political season.
“Mr. Githae brings a wealth of experience in communication and media relations,” reads the appointment notice signed by Maina.
Maina described Githae as an experienced communicator who has worked with various media houses including the Nation Media Group and MediaMax as a political reporter and editor for the last 15 years.
“His wide networks in the Media, will assist in nurturing a good relationship with the Newsrooms,” she said.
Githae will be in charge of the party’s print, broadcast and online communications department.
The party is presently putting in place structures and gearing for grassroots polls in readiness for the 2022 elections.
DP Ruto has said he would vie on the party’s ticket if he is edged out of the Jubilee party.
“UDA and Jubilee are one. We have a coalition agreement and we have been working together. If they break Jubilee, trying to make it a tribal party, we will build UDA as the national party we had hoped Jubilee will be,” Ruto said in February.
UDA, which rebranded from the Party for Development and Reforms, signed a pact with Jubilee in the run-up to the 2017 polls.
Two weeks ago, Jubilee party wrote to the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu, seeking to cut-links with UDA.
“It is dishonest to say we are in the same coalition (with UDA). It is a hostile coalition. It is hostile in Parliament. It cannot be allowed to continue,” Jubilee secretary-general Raphael Tuju had said in the letter.
UDA has fought off the divorce, arguing that appropriate arbitration processes needed to be undertaken to resolve the dispute.
“The relevant organs of the coalition parties shall undertake the appropriate arbitration processes in a bid to resolve the dispute and update you of the outcome thereof,” Maina told the registrar.
