Nairobi: The government has issued directives for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to incorporate communication into their programmes and projects to enhance public understanding of government initiatives and restore public trust. Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, emphasized the importance of treating communication as a core component of government operations, urging Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and agency heads to take greater responsibility for public engagement.
According to Kenya News Agency, Isaboke outlined measures to strengthen government messaging, tackle misinformation, and address declining public trust during a strategic communication workshop attended by government communication officers and senior officials. A key step in this initiative is the implementation of the National Communication Policy 2026, which aims to achieve coordinated, harmonized, and unified government communication.
The policy emphasizes accountability, adequate resourcing of communication functions, crisis communication planning, and the use of both traditional and digital media. Isaboke stressed the need for consistent messaging across government entities, highlighting the importance of communication officers working closely with the leadership of their respective MDAs. He pointed out that weak government narratives and misinformation are challenges eroding public confidence.
The government is strengthening the National Communication Centre (NCC) to serve as a central coordinating entity for government information. This center will facilitate public sentiment analysis using Artificial Intelligence tools. Isaboke also disclosed plans for an integrated public communication platform to provide citizens with a single source for information on government programmes, projects, services, and statistics.
Isaboke emphasized the importance of factoring communication into the planning and budgeting of major government projects from inception. He also stressed the need for clear communication plans for rapid and accurate emergency response. The National Crisis Communication Standing Committee is being bolstered to establish protocols for crisis and risk communication.
Isaboke encouraged government communicators to use traditional and digital media strategically, citing the influence of social media in shaping public opinion. He highlighted recent efforts to counter misinformation about the national budget as an example of effective proactive communication.
He urged government communicators to simplify complex policies and programmes for better public understanding. The government is reviewing its communication structures and expanding opportunities for communication professionals, including recruitment and promotion.
Isaboke underscored the importance of communicating the administration’s achievements and development agenda as it enters the latter part of its term. He called on communication officers to remain proactive, factual, and innovative, working closely with senior government officials to ensure citizens receive timely and credible information.
