NAIROBI, Kenya – Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has urged Ministries, State Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to harmonise their communication strategies to prevent fragmented messaging that exposes the country to misinformation and online manipulation.
Speaking through Amos Gathecha at a forum on Enhancing Government Communication through Digital Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and Inclusive Practices, Koskei stressed that managing information is central to effective governance.
He said information is a right, not a privilege, and public communication must be designed to reach every Kenyan.
“Inclusive communication is when every Kenyan—from the pastoralist in Turkana to the fisherfolk in Lamu, from the youth in Kibera to the professionals in Nairobi—feels heard and understood. Then government becomes real, tangible, and alive,” Koskei said.
He called for greater use of sign language, simplified content, and user-friendly platforms to ensure no citizen is excluded, regardless of literacy level or location.
Koskei also pointed to the opportunities and risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), saying it can improve service delivery through real-time insights from citizen feedback, but could also be exploited to spread misinformation and deepfakes if unregulated.
Citing the recent Gen-Z protests—mobilised almost entirely online—he said social media and short videos have become powerful tools for shaping public perception, warning that delays or inconsistencies in official communication leave room for distortion.
“The story of Kenya must never be told by others on our behalf or distorted by the loudest voices online. It must be told by us, in truth, in unity, with clarity and inclusivity. Kenya can only win when the government speaks as one,” he emphasised.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke urged top officials to take personal responsibility for making government work visible.
He underscored the need to involve communication officers in meetings and official engagements to ensure government programmes are properly explained and shielded from misinformation.
“Communication officers are the bridge between policy and the people. When leaders carry them along, they make government work visible, strengthen trust, and ensure Kenyans not only see what is being done, but also understand why it matters. Visibility is accountability,” Isaboke said.
The forum brought together principal secretaries and development partners across the public sector to discuss strengthening public communication through inclusivity and technology.
