Kenyans on Wednesday finally got to see Kanze Dena in action following her highly publicised and celebrated appointment as deputy State House spokesperson.
The former Citizen TV Swahili news anchor stepped out clad in an official navy blue trouser suit as she marked her name in Kenyan history books as the first female State House Deputy Spokesperson.
Backed by her years of experience in broadcast journalism, Kanze held her nerve on her new podium and introduced the brief in Swahili.
She addressed the Sh3.0 trillion 2018/2019 budget presented last week saying it is not oppressive to the ordinary citizens. She said the budget is pro-poor and aims at helping the government achieve its plans on the big four agenda.
In regards to the war on corruption, Kanze Dena maintained that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s is dedicated to ensuring the vice is eliminated.
She said all constitutional agencies mandated to fight corruption have been directed to move swiftly and ensure all culprits are brought to book.
“The president is a front liner to the war against graft. As he directed a lifestyle audit of all public servants it remains just like that until the vice is eliminated,” she said.
Kenyans who were following the briefing took to social media platforms to comment on Kanze’s maiden address. While a majority were impressed, another section chose to shoot the messenger.
Some sampled reactions below.
Great inaugural briefing this morning by my new Deputy Spokesperson @KanzeDena pic.twitter.com/Vzblx6n2E5
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) June 20, 2018
Why are people congratulating @KanzeDena for lying again? What the fuck is wrong with us Kenyans #StateHouseBriefing
— The Seeker (@AbonyoR) June 20, 2018
Mwana wefwe lied her pant suit off but her voice was sweet and angelic, so I listened #StateHouseBriefing https://t.co/HZS1ifAF2X
— Sarah Haluwa (@sarah_haluwa) June 20, 2018
Yes she has the Job, she is always be aka good girl but the Lies that comes with that job will cost her character #StateHouseBriefing
— Cr7 – Kenya Branch (@sammy_monoo) June 20, 2018
Must be such a shift for Kanze Dena moving from factual News anchoring to PR briefing on embellished truths/facts to make them more politically correct your personal opinion notwithstanding #StateHouseBriefing
— Maggy Matolo ?? (@maggymatolo) June 20, 2018
#StateHouseBriefing
So the jubilee government thinks that lies are sweeter in Swahili— Captain Horace (@Caphorace) June 20, 2018
To the peeps on my neck over @KanzeDena , be guided accordingly that she is now a public officer not insulated from accountability. I won’t allow her get away with intellectual dishonesty in the name of PR #StateHouseBriefing
— Rein (@Asamoh_) June 20, 2018
Our girl is kicking a**!! #StateHouseBriefing pic.twitter.com/iM5Nkyr4g2
— Vincent Osiemo Keroro (@vinny_wa_) June 20, 2018
6 years later , TUNATAKA “ @KanzeDena you-are deep into PR ????? #StateHouseBriefing https://t.co/kRety68EQu
— Rein (@Asamoh_) June 20, 2018
kanze has a story that every young woman should hold on and trust in the midst of the hurricane you will find away congratulations @KanzeDena #KanzeInauguralBriefing #StateHouseBriefing
— #NdotchTheBrand (@ndotch18) June 20, 2018
There is no force more powerful than a woman who is determined to rise.. #KanzeInauguralBriefing #StateHouseBriefing
— Essie Kanyie (@Essiekanyi) June 20, 2018
Our beloved Kanze taking it on. Go girl! #StateHouseBriefing
— Hellen Wakamwe (@wakamweh) June 20, 2018
Kanze donning designer suits but lying openly to all Kenyans. No amount of cosmetic appearance will change the fact that Jubilee administration is a kleptocracy. #StateHouseBriefing
— Mukami (@Mukami_Mungai) June 20, 2018
Working for government can transform. The humble @KanzeDena has begun her new job by repeating the lies we’ve been hearing the last six years.#StateHouseBriefing
— Joshua K. Njenga (@JKNjenga) June 20, 2018
Dear @KanzeDena you have been recruited into this PR. Last I checked , sisters of @UKenyatta were placed in a special list of disable and awarded @MOH_Kenya tenders. #StateHouseBriefing https://t.co/kRety68EQu
— Rein (@Asamoh_) June 20, 2018
Jobless slay queens here clapping for the PR Kanze Dena is doing. Clapping for “tunataka kubuni kazi kwa vijana”. Have you forgotten the number of times your CV has been rejected by your government & private sector?
— Michael Mburu (@MichaelMburu_) June 20, 2018
@KanzeDena should have stayed at @citizentvkenya instead of taking a job that involves lying to people!#StateHouseBriefing
— Amedo Shair (@AmedoShair) June 20, 2018
Watching #StateHouseBriefing and I must say our journalist need to learn Kiswahili language to match Madam @KanzeDena‘s fluency in speaking.
cc: @paulinenjoroge— Simple Simon (@Simon_Plumb) June 20, 2018
Instead of highlighting relevant issues affecting kenyans, the new Jubilee PR guru is busy entrenching the jubilee lies. @KanzeDena go back to citizen while u still can #StateHouseBriefing
— willis aduda (@DrAdudaWillis) June 20, 2018
Mpenzi mtazamaji ???
It was a very articulate debut briefing from @KanzeDena #StateHouseBriefing pic.twitter.com/mu7PdyGD6M
— Cleophas Oluoch ?? (@cleophasoluoch) June 20, 2018
Deputy spokesperson of state house Kanze Dena. You are an inspiration to us.#StateHouseBriefing pic.twitter.com/BNiUcmGOkx
— Emmanuel Blessing (@Emmanue46855182) June 20, 2018
#StateHouseBriefing What’s all the fuss about a woman addressing the nation! Even Lucy Kibaki went on live TV to ascertain her position as the only 1st lady in Kibaki’s life! ?
— okumu steve (@ookumusteve) June 20, 2018
The propaganda has began. She talks about creating employment for the youth yet Francis Muthaura whose probably 80yrs old was appointed to KRA. Job opportunities being created are for Octogenarians not the youth. Shame on you Kanze Dena.
#StateHouseBriefing#StateOfCorruption
— Michael Mburu (@MichaelMburu_) June 20, 2018
For the first time ever I watched the #StateHouseBriefing in fluent swahili and it was so refreshing.
Kanze Dena will do a good job— Michael lumiti (@MichaelLumiti) June 20, 2018
This was a brilliant move by @UKenyatta to have @KanzeDena elevated to such position.The lady is just brilliant #KanzeInauguralBriefing #StateHouseBriefing
— Mary Kigwa (@MKigwa) June 20, 2018
A successful woman is the one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her #KanzeInauguralBriefing #StateHouseBriefing
— Essie Kanyie (@Essiekanyi) June 20, 2018
