Fresh start for Dennis Itumbi after CAS appointment

Dennis Itumbi, a die-hard of President William Ruto, has finally been rewarded for ditching former president Uhuru Kenyatta in favour of the current Head of State way back in 2017. Itumbi, a controversial blogger with a huge following, is among 50 nominees for Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) job. "Thank you, President (Ruto), for considering me to serve. Let me prepare to face the Parliament (for vetting)," he wrote on social media moments after the appointment. Itumbi who's bagged the Ministry of Information Communications and the Digital Economy CAS docket, has made a name as a blogger who stood by President Ruto during thick and thin in the campaign period. He was known for his hard-hitting tweets where he defended then Deputy President William Ruto against an onslaught from President Uhuru Kenyatta and his lieutenants. His hard stance cost him his role among the media team at State House during Uhuru's regime. Using the Hustler Nation Intelligence Bureau (HNIB) platform on social media, Itumbi also consistently called out President Ruto's political opponents and critics in equal measure. He assembled an army of online warriors who stood by President Ruto during hard times. His controversial messages earned him enemies along the way, leading to his reported abduction and torture in 2021. Upon release from his captors, Itumbi insisted he had been held by rogue policemen who had been sent to silence him and only survived by the grace of God. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also recently suggested that Itumbi was earmarked for assassination during former president Uhuru Kenyatta's regime. "Many of you wonder what is the work of Itumbi. His office is known as come here go there. He is a close friend of our President," said Gachagua. His appointment comes amid hue and cries by a section of supporters who claimed he deserved a 'serious' appointment considering the role he played in President Ruto's election victory. The new role comes with new challenges for the former journalist, and Itumbi will now be expected to advocate policies and represent the Cabinet Secretary at national functions. Itumbi has separately been appointed as a member of the Talanta Hela Council and Technical Committee by Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba. Also read: Linda Ogutu reacts after missing out on CAS appointment Mariga, Ogutu, Ngirici miss out on CAS appointments