Kitui County made history on Monday as it proudly hosted the 2025 Mashujaa Day Celebrations at the newly renovated Ithookwe Stadium — the first-ever national event of its kind in the county. But what was meant to be a moment of pride for Governor Dr. Julius Malombe quickly turned into an awkward scene after a sudden gust of wind nearly scattered his A5-printed speech, leaving the county boss visibly confused and struggling to stay composed.
The governor appeared uncomfortable and inaudible at times, clutching at the flying pages as he tried to regain his rhythm — with no aides seen rushing to assist him. At one point, he skipped several paragraphs after losing track of his script, leaving sections of the audience visibly puzzled. The incident drew murmurs among guests and online observers, who questioned the level of preparation behind the governor’s address during such a high-profile occasion.
The mix-up raised immediate concerns over the competence and coordination within the county’s communication and public relations department, which failed to anticipate or manage the situation. Sources close to the department hinted at a lack of commitment and planning, citing a growing disinterest among officers in properly scheduling and executing key tasks during major public events. Reports further point to internal wrangles, personal interests, and poor teamwork, which have repeatedly undermined the department’s ability to operate efficiently and deliver a cohesive communication strategy for the governor.
Observers were quick to question why, in an era dominated by teleprompters, tablets, and digital presentation tools, the county boss was still relying on printed A5 papers. “It’s 2025 — no modern leader should be wrestling with flying paper sheets when they could easily read from a digital screen,” remarked one communication analyst.
The situation grew even more uneasy when, midway through the address, the Master of Ceremonies (MC) was seen discreetly signaling to the governor to shorten his speech. The gesture has since sparked debate over whether the county had the right speechwriters and qualified communication professionals to prepare the governor for a national event of such scale and visibility.
The ceremony, graced by President William Ruto, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and several other dignitaries, drew both national and international attention. Many are now questioning whether Governor Malombe managed to effectively highlight the key issues facing Kitui County before the head of state — or whether the moment was lost amid the confusion.
As the dust settles on what should have been Kitui’s proudest day, the fallout continues. Insiders whisper of a communication department in need of serious overhaul — one beset by rivalry, laxity, and outdated methods. The governor’s Mashujaa Day speech may have been blown by the wind, but the bigger storm now brewing is over who really speaks for Kitui County — and whether anyone is still listening.
