Rose Gakuo is the head of public relations and stake holder engagement at the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), in the office of the president.
She was among the journalists that were laid off from Mediamax Network Limited owned broadcaster K24 TV in June 2020.
The journalist has found her feet working at the NMS.
Background and Education
Gakuo attended Laikipia University and graduated in 2015 with a First Class Honours degree in Communication and Media.
She was an active politician in school, having served as the Laikipia University Students’ Union President.
The Standard in 2019 reported that she was also the first woman to head a Public University Students’ Union in 2013.
Gakuo deputised Embakasi East member of Parliament Babu Owino (then UoN’s SONU president) at Kenya University Students Organisation (KUSO), the universities associations’ umbrella body.
She conceded that juggling academics and student politics was not an easy task.
“I made sure I struck a balance between leadership and books to ensure I do not mess up my studies.
“Craziest moments came when students came calling at the wee hours of the night asking for an ambulance to rush a colleague to hospital. As a leader, I would often accompany them to the hospital” she told Campus Vibe during a past interview.
Career
After completing her studies, Gakuo was among the finalists in KTN’s “The Presenter” contest season 2 in 2015.
She later landed a job as a reporter and an anchor at the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC). She brought a new look to the station, after netizens had tore into the media house for years, alleging that the previous cast looked bored.
Among he most notable works at the station, besides the numerous on set interviews, Gakuo covered an incident where women in Nairobi demonstrated against a Nairobi hotel that kicked out a breastfeeding mother.
She departed KBC for K24 in 2019. She proceeded with her work as a journalist and anchor at the Mediamax owned station, until she was laid off along with several others in June 2020.
Nairobi Metropolitan Services
Gakuo landed her current job at NMS in November 2020. She is the head of public relations and stake holder management at NMS, in the office of the president.
Her role at the entity entails leading outward public relations strategies and plans that promote key initiatives, while maintaining and improving the image and reputation of the NMS.
She is also the key media liaison and representative for the NMS.
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