Sakaja Bans County Officials From Having Media Interviews Without His Approval: "It's Not Gagging"

• Governor Johnson Sakaja has asserted control over media interactions by requiring top officials to seek his permission before interviews
• In a memo, County Secretary Patrick Analo told County Executive Committee members to obtain the Governor's authorisation before engaging with the media
• Analo clarified that the directive is not meant to stifle the media but to enhance coordination, ensuring officers align their statements with the county's messaging
• Officials invited in their individual capacities must also explicitly state they are invited in their professional capacity

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Governor Johnson Sakaja has moved in to have control over what his top officials have during media interviews.

In a memo dated Tuesday, December 19, Acting County Secretary and Head of Public Service Patrick Analo asked all County Executive Committee (CEC) members, chief officers and county directors to seek Sakaja's permission before media engagements.

"This is to direct all officers invited for media interviews to seek authorization from the Governor before honouring the media interviews," the memo reads in part.

Analo insisted that they were not muzzling the media, but it was meant to enhance coordination, arguing that it would be good for every officer to be guided on what to say about a particular department.

"It is not gagging, it is just for coordination. Coordination is the opposite of confusion," he told Nation.

What happens to professionals invited for their expertise

Analo further explained that they know some of the officials are always invited in an individual capacity.

In their case, Analo stated that the officials must state that they have been invited to the media discussion due to their individual expertise.

"We take cognizance of the fact that some officers are usually invited in their individual professional capacities," continued the letter.