Kanze Dena after State House: What’s her role in Uhuru Kenyatta’s office
By Valerian Khakayi, August 14, 2026Kanze Dena Mararo rose from one of Kenya’s most recognisable television news anchors to become a key figure in retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s communication team.
Her move to State House came on June 5, 2018, when Uhuru appointed her Deputy State House Spokesperson and Deputy Head of the Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU). Her responsibilities included overseeing digital communication, research, media relations, branding and strategic messaging from the President’s office.
Just weeks later, she was elevated to State House Spokesperson and Head of PSCU, succeeding Manoah Esipisu, who had been appointed Kenya’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
In the new position, Dena became the principal public communicator for the Presidency, regularly briefing the media and communicating government policies, programmes and presidential engagements. She remained in the role throughout Uhuru’s second and final term.
Life after State House
Following the end of Uhuru’s presidency in 2022, Dena continued working with the former Head of State.
She currently serves as the spokesperson for retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, communicating on behalf of the Office of the Fourth President. Recent statements from Uhuru’s office have identified Dena as his spokesperson, including her dismissal of a fake statement concerning a meeting between Uhuru and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Her current role involves communicating the retired president’s position on matters of public interest, responding to media reports and issuing official statements on behalf of his office. In February 2026, for instance, Dena communicated the retired president’s position regarding a planned visit by a youth group to his Ichaweri home.
Dena’s transition from State House Spokesperson during Uhuru’s presidency to spokesperson for the retired president has therefore kept her at the centre of his public communication team even after his exit from office.
National honour
In July 2022, Uhuru recognised Dena’s service and contribution to government communication by awarding her a national honour.
Her career has seen her move from the newsroom to one of the country’s most prominent government communication positions before continuing to serve as the public voice of the former president after his retirement from State House.