Wet, Minister

Last week the Ministry organised a 'media breakfast' to launch its new publicity campaign. All the major news networks were invited to one of the fancier Nairobi hotels to cover the event.

Unfortunately, I think the content of the launch might have been slightly overshadowed by events. As the Permanent Secretary started his statement, there was a loud 'pop' and water started flooding in through the ceiling. Cue general panic and havoc. I have literally never seen civil servants move so fast (my boss later confided that he thought Al-Shabaab were attacking). Obviously, as this was a media event, the whole scenario was caught on camera.



The hotel later claimed that the lights from the TV cameras activated the sprinkler system, which responded perfectly, and proves the system is working. Those of us who were there, and who could smell the 'water' pouring through the ceiling have a slightly different opinion...

Anyway, it's another one to add to the list of my many media appearances (what? you didn't see me? I'm right here - you'll have to take my word for it).

Still, there's no such thing as bad publicity, right?