Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Coordination Dennis Itumbi has challenged the members of the fourth estate to premise their criticism of government on facts.

In a statement on his X page on Saturday, December 6, 2025, the digital strategist acknowledged the role played by the media in keeping the government in check through criticising its work.

He, however, noted that the practice ought to be premised on solid factual and verifiable parameters.

“I challenge you to work with the government. This is where the challenge and controversy lie. But I am challenging you to rework your perspectives. Good stories are not necessarily about fighting government; it is about getting stories as they are,” he stated.

He reiterated his message with a post on his X page.

“I closed the conference last night and handed out awards to some truly impressive journalists with great stories. My message was, do not shy away from working with the government. Also boldly criticise the government. Just keep it FACTUAL.

He made the remarks during the final day of the Association of Grassroot Journalists Kenya event held in Mombasa on December 5.

During his speech, Itumbi challenged the grassroots journalists to adopt a paradigm shift from the conventional media house setup and establish a people’s newsroom in line with the changing landscape of journalism.

Itumbi’s on the changing media landscape

“We need to create a people newsroom where citizens become editors and the rest of us consumers.

We need to have people-powered radical news centres and rooms where Mama Mbogas and boda boda guys are the journalists, and journalists only curate and verify the news to journalistic standards acquired in school,” he stated.

While explicitly clarifying that the suggestion was more of a personal conviction than a government policy, Itumbi hailed the proposed development as an affordable venture and one that would see journalists earn money directly.

He also advocated for a shift from politics to more personal and human interest stories.

“Our cameras are addicted to politics for far too many reasons. However, we must shift the pen from politics as an end and start focusing on stories of what you do yourselves,” he stated.