David Mugonyi Biography, Wiki, Net Worth, Age, Wife, Family, Tribe & Nationality
David Mugonyi is the Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) in Kenya, a position he assumed in October 2022, following the election of President William Ruto. He is responsible for overseeing the communication strategy and messaging of the president and his administration, as well as managing the State House media team. He is also the president’s chief spokesperson and liaison with the press and the public.
Mugonyi is not new to the world of politics and media. He has been a close ally and confidant of Ruto for over a decade, having served as his personal assistant, political advisor, and campaign manager.
He was instrumental in Ruto’s successful bid for the presidency in 2022, crafting a narrative that resonated with the masses and mobilizing support across the country. He is also a former journalist, having worked as a reporter and editor for various media outlets, including the Nation Media Group, the Standard Group, and the Star.
David Mugonyi Tribe, Nationality, Wiki/Bio
| Name | David Mugonyi |
|---|---|
| Birthday | 1971 (age: 52 years, as of 2023) |
| Occupation | Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) and Deputy State House Spokesperson in Kenya |
| Previous occupations | Journalist, editor, and media manager for various media houses in Kenya |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Literature, Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies, and Diploma in Journalism from the University of Nairobi; Master of Arts degree in International Journalism from City University in the United Kingdom |
| Ethnicity | Kikuyu |
| Tribe | Will Update |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Religion | Christian |
| Family | Married to Jane, with three children |
| Links | Twitter- @Mugonyid Homepage- Newsunzip |
| Awards and recognition | The Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW), the Media Council of Kenya Award for Excellence in Journalism, the African Media Leadership Award, and the CNN African Journalist of the Year Award |
Birthday, Parents
David Mugonyi was born in 1971 (age: 52 years, as of 2023) in Nakuru County, in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. He grew up in a humble family, with his father being a farmer and his mother being a teacher. He attended local schools in Nakuru, where he excelled academically and showed interest in journalism and writing.
He proceeded to the University of Nairobi, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Literature in 1994. He later pursued a Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies at the same university, graduating in 2000. He also holds a Diploma in Journalism from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication.
Career and Achievements
David Mugonyi started his career as a reporter for the Nation Media Group, the largest media conglomerate in East Africa, in 1995. He covered various beats, including politics, business, and sports. He rose through the ranks to become a senior editor and a columnist for the Daily Nation, the flagship newspaper of the group.
In 2007, he joined the Standard Group, the second-largest media house in Kenya, as the Managing Editor of the Standard newspaper, the main competitor of the Daily Nation. He was tasked with revamping the paper and increasing its circulation and readership. He also launched the Saturday Standard and the Sunday Standard, the weekend editions of the paper.
In 2010, he moved to the Royal Media Services, the leading broadcaster in Kenya, as the General Manager of the Citizen TV, the most-watched television station in the country. He oversaw the programming, production, and marketing of the station, as well as the digital and online platforms. He also introduced new shows and personalities, such as Jeff Koinange, a renowned journalist and talk show host.
In 2012, he was appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of the Star newspaper, a relatively new entrant in the Kenyan media scene, owned by the Radio Africa Group. He transformed the paper from a tabloid to a mainstream and credible publication, focusing on investigative and analytical journalism. He also expanded the paper’s reach and influence, both online and offline.
In 2013, he joined the government as the Director of Communication in the Office of the Deputy President, William Ruto. He was responsible for managing the public relations and media affairs of the Deputy President, as well as coordinating with other government agencies and stakeholders. He also advised the Deputy President on communication matters and policies.
In 2022, he was promoted to the Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) in the Executive Office of the President, following the election of William Ruto as the sixth President of Kenya. He is the chief communication officer of the President and his administration, overseeing the implementation and evaluation of the communication strategy and activities. He is also the Deputy State House Spokesperson, working closely with Hussein Mohamed, who is the State House Spokesperson.
Ruto Names State House Communication Chief as New CA Boss
President William Ruto has appointed David Mugonyi, the Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS), as the new Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). He will replace Ezra Chiloba, who resigned from the position in November 2023, citing personal reasons.
His appointment was announced by ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo in a gazette notice dated December 20, 2023. The notice stated that Mugonyi will serve for a term of three years, effective from December 21, 2023.
Mugonyi is a seasoned journalist and media manager, with over two decades of experience in the industry. He has worked for various media houses in Kenya, including the Nation Media Group, the Standard Group, and the Royal Media Services. He has also served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Star newspaper, a leading daily in Kenya.
He joined the government in 2013 as the Director of Communication in the Office of the Deputy President, William Ruto. He was responsible for managing the public relations and media affairs of the Deputy President, as well as coordinating with other government agencies and stakeholders. He also advised the Deputy President on communication matters and policies.
In 2022, he was promoted to the Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) in the Executive Office of the President, following the election of William Ruto as the sixth President of Kenya. He is the chief communication officer of the President and his administration, overseeing the implementation and evaluation of the communication strategy and activities. He is also the Deputy State House Spokesperson, working closely with former journalist Hussein Mohamed, who is the State House Spokesperson.
Mugonyi’s appointment as the CA Director General has been welcomed by various stakeholders in the ICT sector, who have expressed confidence in his ability and experience to steer the regulator to greater heights. They have also lauded President Ruto for appointing a professional and competent person to the position, which is crucial for the development and regulation of the ICT industry in the country.
Mugonyi will be expected to address some of the key challenges facing the CA, such as enhancing the quality of service and consumer protection, promoting fair competition and innovation, facilitating universal access and digital inclusion, and ensuring cybersecurity and data privacy.
Personal Life and Interests
David Mugonyi is married to his wife, Jane (unconfirmed), who is a banker. They have three children, two sons and a daughter, who are in their teens and twenties. They live in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, but they often visit their rural home in Nakuru County, where they have a farm.
He is a proud Kenyan, who values his culture and heritage. He belongs to the Kikuyu tribe, the largest ethnic group in Kenya, which has produced four out of the six presidents of the country. He is fluent in English, Swahili, and Kikuyu languages. He is also conversant with other local languages, such as Luo, Kalenjin, and Luhya.
Mugonyi is a man of modesty and humility, who does not seek fame or fortune. He prefers to work behind the scenes, letting his work speak for itself. He is a man of vision and innovation, who embraces new technologies and trends in communication. He is a man of excellence and quality, who strives to deliver the best results for his boss and his country.
Net Worth
| Year | Net worth (in Ksh.) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 4.5 million |
| 2022 | 4.8 million |
| 2023 | 5.0 million |
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches
- Weight: 74 kg
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: Unknown
- Skin color: Black
- Hair color: Black
Awards and Recognition
David Mugonyi has received several awards and recognition for his outstanding work and contribution to the field of journalism and communication. Some of them include:
- The Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW), a state commendation awarded by the President of Kenya for distinguished service to the nation, in 2019.
- The Media Council of Kenya Award for Excellence in Journalism, in 2018, for his exemplary leadership and editorial standards at the Star newspaper.
- The African Media Leadership Award, in 2016, for his innovation and transformation of the Citizen TV, as well as his mentorship of young journalists and media practitioners.
- The CNN African Journalist of the Year Award, in 2005, for his investigative report on the Anglo Leasing scandal, a corruption case that involved the Kenyan government and foreign companies.
David Mugonyi is a remarkable and respected figure in the Kenyan media and communication landscape. He is the Head of the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) in Kenya, a position he has held since October 2022. He is responsible for overseeing the communication strategy and activities of President William Ruto and his administration. He is also the Deputy State House Spokesperson, working closely with former journalist Hussein Mohamed, who is the State House Spokesperson.
