Kenya: PS Isaboke Unveils National Communication Centre Establishment

• Kenya is establishing a National Communication Centre (NCC) to centralize and verify official government information.
• The initiative follows an August circular from Felix Koskei directing government agencies to adopt a coordinated communication approach.
• A new Kenya government communication policy is being developed to ensure consistency in facts and prioritize digital platforms.
• The NCC will receive, collate, validate, and prepare information, with a National Crisis Communication Standing Committee handling emergencies.
• The government aims to be the primary, proactive source of information, adequately funded and digital-first, to combat misinformation.

The establishment of the NCC is poised to make the government the Kenya official government information source, providing a single, verified point of truth.

Principal Secretary for Broadcasting Stephen Isaboke has announced significant plans for the establishment of the Kenya National Communication Centre (NCC). This new entity is designed to significantly enhance the government's public communication efforts by serving as a primary hub for verified state data. The NCC's core mandate includes the systematic collection, rigorous verification, and efficient dissemination of official government information to the public, aiming to bolster transparency and public trust.

The initiative aims to foster greater coherence and uniformity in public messaging from state institutions, addressing previous challenges in governmental outreach. PS Isaboke, speaking during an interview on KBC Channel 1's Good Morning Kenya, emphasized that the centre will play a crucial role in ensuring that all government information is properly gathered, authenticated, and made readily available for public consumption. This strategic move is part of a broader effort to streamline how the government interacts and shares information with its citizens, ensuring a consistent narrative.

The impetus for a more coordinated approach to government communication stems from a directive issued in August by Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei. His circular specifically mandated all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to adopt a proactive and synchronized strategy for their public outreach and information sharing. Complementing this, the government is actively developing a comprehensive communication policy, which PS Isaboke stated will guarantee consistency in the facts, figures, and evidence presented by public institutions across all platforms.

This evolving framework is intended to definitively position the government as the initial and authoritative source for information concerning its various programmes and affairs. A key aspect of this new Kenya government communication policy involves a heightened focus on digital platforms for information dissemination, recognizing the changing landscape of public consumption. Furthermore, the National Crisis Communication Standing Committee Kenya is specifically designated to manage and coordinate official communication during periods of emergency or crisis, ensuring a unified and timely response.

The strategic vision behind the Kenya National Communication Centre establishment underscores the growing importance of communication and public engagement in successful government projects. The new policy specifically seeks to address and close existing gaps that have historically allowed misinformation and conflicting narratives to influence public understanding of government initiatives, thereby ensuring clarity and accuracy. PS Isaboke affirmed that government communication will be fundamentally guided by the needs and interests of the populace, making it more responsive and relevant.

To achieve its comprehensive objectives, the NCC will be tasked with receiving, collating, validating, and meticulously preparing all government information prior to its release. The government's communication strategy will also embrace a digital-first approach, ensuring that official information is accessible and delivered promptly through modern channels, leaving little room for misinterpretation. This commitment extends to providing adequate funding for government communication initiatives, with the overarching goal of improving public access to official information, fostering proactive communication, and minimizing potential misunderstandings. The establishment of the NCC is poised to make the government the Kenya official government information source, providing a single, verified point of truth.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Kenya should monitor the establishment of the National Communication Centre as it aims to become the primary, verified source for government information. This initiative could streamline access to official directives and policies, potentially reducing ambiguity in regulatory communications and requiring legal professionals to adapt their information-gathering strategies for client advice.

Source: Original reporting via KBC Channel 1