Charles Owino: State's new spokesperson faces an uphill credibility test

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei announced that Owino, who is the former spokesperson of the National Police Service, now transitions to the executive office of the President as the government’s spokesperson from his previous role at the National Communications Centre under the Ministry of ICT.

Owino also found himself in the crosshairs of public outrage after making comments that seemingly supported a “shoot-to-kill” order to police issued in the same month by Interior CS Murkomen.

For years, Owino served as the prominent face of the National Police Service (NPS) and during his tenure earned a reputation as an unyielding and combative defender of the police force, frequently shielding the institution from widespread public outrage over police brutality, extrajudicial killings and the use of excessive force.