Speaking with The Weekly Vision from Switzerland last evening, APO Group founder and chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard clarified that the organization has been offering its services on a pro bono basis since March 2022 as part of its broader mission to amplify African voices. Pompigne-Mognard, a Franco-Gabonese self-made entrepreneur, explained that the group’s revenue from its communications consultancy and press release distribution services across Africa is reinvested into offering free services to various governments and partners, including Kenya
The African Press Organisation (APO) Group has vehemently denied claims of having commercial ties with the Kenyan government, following reports suggesting the government engaged the PR firm to repair its international image and position Kenya as an investment hub.
Speaking with The Weekly Vision from Switzerland last evening, APO Group founder and chairman Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard clarified that the organization has been offering its services on a pro bono basis since March 2022 as part of its broader mission to amplify African voices.
Read More President Ruto Hires International PR Agencies to Repair Kenya’s Global Image Amid Governance Criticism and Corruption Allegations
Pompigne-Mognard, a Franco-Gabonese self-made entrepreneur, explained that the group’s revenue from its communications consultancy and press release distribution services across Africa is reinvested into offering free services to various governments and partners, including Kenya.
His remarks came in response to a report by The Weekly Vision that claimed the Kenyan government had contracted APO Group and Zawya to assist in improving the country’s global standing. Sources within the report suggested that the two agencies were tasked with reshaping Kenya’s international image, particularly in light of ongoing concerns about corruption and human rights issues. Pompigne-Mognard dismissed these reports, revealing that he had received over 400 emails from Kenyans voicing concerns about the group’s relationship with a government increasingly scrutinized for its human rights record.
In a statement on his X account, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura also denied any commercial relationship with APO Group and Zawya, clarifying that APO has been distributing news about the presidency and various ministries since March 2020, well before President William Ruto assumed office.
Mwaura stated:
- “A recent article suggests that the government has hired APO Group and Zawya for PR. To clarify, there are no commercial ties with these organisations. APO has been sharing Presidency news pro bono since March 2020, prior to President Ruto’s tenure, to help amplify African voices.”
Marie-Noëlle Samake, APO Group’s Media Relations Head, reiterated this stance, emphasizing that the organization has no commercial contracts with Kenyan authorities and that it has been sharing news from the Kenyan government since 2020, as part of its mission to support African democratic nations.
The clarification from APO Group and the Kenyan government comes at a time when Kenya is facing increasing international scrutiny over its human rights practices. The country has been condemned for its handling of the Gen Z protests in June and July 2024, during which police excesses, including abductions, enforced disappearances, and killings, tarnished its reputation.
President Ruto has acknowledged challenges in communicating the government’s policies, particularly regarding the Finance Bill 2024 and the need to curb foreign debt dependency. The administration has faced criticism for failing to adequately engage the public on critical issues, leading to an upsurge in negative press both locally and internationally.
APO Group, which has built a reputation for helping businesses expand through strategic communications and media coverage, has worked with numerous governments and private sector entities across Africa. The company specializes in designing communications strategies, delivering influential messaging, and securing impactful press coverage.
Zawya, another entity mentioned in the reports, is a prominent source of regional news and intelligence for professionals across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the broader Middle East and Africa.
Amid the criticism of the government’s PR efforts, President Ruto has previously lamented the negative portrayal of his administration, warning that such narratives could discourage foreign investment. The government has relied on various PR strategies, including hiring bloggers and social media influencers, to promote its economic agenda and counteract negative perceptions.
Notably, last year it was revealed that the government had enlisted bloggers and content creators to post positive stories about its Affordable Housing Program, with bloggers receiving payments ranging from Ksh30,000 to Ksh100,000 per month to shape public opinion.
In a continued effort to improve communication, the President’s office recently appointed a new team of media and communications experts, including Carol Mandi, Archie Ojany-Alai, Boniface Odinga, Patrick Amimo, Wambui Ng’ayu, and Alloyce Obare. Their mandate is to enhance communication around government projects, improve public engagement, and reposition the government as an effective, transparent entity.
Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff for Performance and Delivery Management, stated that the team’s goal is to position the government and its programs effectively as valuable “products” in the public and international marketplaces, reinforcing transparency and fostering better stakeholder engagement across all government sectors.
