Isaboke commends information staff for promoting policies, popularising projects

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary, Stephen Isaboke, has urged government communication personnel to intensify efforts meant to publicise government policies, programmes and development projects to keep citizens well informed.

Isaboke said Information Officers (IOs) and Public Communications Officers (PCOs) have a critical responsibility of projecting the government to the public by providing timely, accurate and verifiable information on government initiatives and progress of implementation across the country.

Speaking during a familiarisation tour of the Directorate of Information (DI) headquarters at Uchumi House in Nairobi, Isaboke commended officers for their robust efforts in gathering, processing and disseminating credible information on government programmes and development projects.

He noted communication officers play a central role in helping Kenyans understand public policies, follow the implementation of development initiatives, and assess the progress made in delivering services countrywide.

“The work you do is very important because you are the bridge between the government and the citizens. Through your communication, Kenyans are able to understand government policies, track ongoing projects and appreciate the progress being made in different parts of the country,” said Isaboke.

The Principal Secretary observed that the government was implementing various projects across the country and relied on government communicators to keep the public informed about their progress.

He stressed the need for officers to provide accurate information on project implementation, impact, and intended benefits to citizens.

Isaboke particularly commended the Kenya News Agency (KNA) for its role in collecting and disseminating factual, credible, and verifiable news, noting that its extensive presence across all 47 counties provides an important platform for documenting development activities at the grassroots.

He, however, challenged officers to move beyond simply reporting government activities and adopt a more comprehensive analytical approach that explains the objectives of policies, the status of projects and how the initiatives respond to the needs of citizens.

Isaboke said the agency’s nationwide reach enables it to capture developments at the grassroots, ensuring that information on government projects is available to the public and stakeholders.

“I appreciate what KNA is doing. Through your credible work, we are able to track and assess the government’s progress in implementing its programmes and projects. Your presence across the country is critical in ensuring that information reaches Kenyans,” Isaboke said.

He cited the proposed Dangote East African Oil Refinery as an example of how KNA’s reporting has helped the public understand the significance of the project to Kenya.

The PS added that reliable reporting on development initiatives provides the public with an opportunity to understand government priorities while giving relevant institutions and stakeholders information they can use to assess implementation progress.

Isaboke encouraged Information Officers to maintain high professional standards by prioritising accuracy, verification, impartiality and responsible reporting in the execution of their duties.

He underscored the fact that public trust in government communication depends on the quality and credibility of the information shared, urging officers to ensure that reports are factual, clear and responsive to the information needs of citizens.

Isaboke challenged government communicators to embrace emerging technologies, digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency, reach and relevance of their work in an increasingly competitive and rapidly changing media environment.

He noted that technological advancements continue to reshape how information is gathered, packaged, disseminated and consumed, requiring communication professionals to continuously upgrade their skills and adapt to changing audience preferences.

The PS urged officers to invest in professional development and familiarise themselves with emerging digital tools while maintaining the ethical standards required in public communication.

He said embracing innovation would enable officers to produce engaging content, reach wider audiences and respond more effectively to the growing demand for timely information.

Isaboke observed that government communicators must remain relevant by combining traditional reporting skills with digital storytelling, multimedia production and responsible use of new technologies.

He also called on officers to use social media strategically to share verified information, counter misinformation and explain government policies and programmes in formats that are accessible to different audiences.

During the engagement, the Principal Secretary commended the Directorate’s social media team for leveraging digital platforms to popularise government policies, programmes and development initiatives.

He noted that social media has become an important channel for reaching citizens directly, particularly audiences who increasingly rely on digital platforms for news and public information.

The PS urged the team to remain proactive and adopt innovative approaches to content creation and distribution to enhance public awareness of government activities.

He also pledged to support efforts to strengthen KNA’s operational capacity by addressing staffing gaps arising from retirement, acquisition of new equipment and revamping its social media platforms to enhance content delivery and improve the dissemination of information through digital channels.

Isaboke further pledged to facilitate Information Officers (IOs) to carry out their responsibilities as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, underscoring the importance of effective information dissemination during the electoral period.

He encouraged officers to uphold professionalism, accuracy and responsibility in reporting, noting that access to credible information is essential in enabling citizens to remain informed during significant national processes.

Secretary Information and Broadcasting Mr. Temesi Mukani commended officers for their continued commitment to covering government programmes and communicating information on public initiatives.

Mukani acknowledged the efforts made by Information Officers in documenting government activities and ensuring that information reaches members of the public.

He encouraged the officers to sustain their efforts, strengthen collaboration across government communication units and continue providing credible information that reflects developments in different parts of the country.

The SIB noted that effective coordination among government communicators is important in ensuring consistency, accuracy and timely dissemination of information on government policies and programmes.

The engagement provided an opportunity to discuss the role of government communication in documenting development, strengthening public awareness and adapting to the changing media landscape.

By Ian Chepkuto