The government has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalising Kenya’s public relations and communication sector, with Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo warning that credibility and public trust must remain central to communication in an increasingly digital world.
Kabogo said the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), the spread of misinformation and the changing digital media landscape had made responsible communication more critical than ever, particularly in strengthening public institutions and ensuring citizens remain informed and engaged.
Speaking in Malindi, Kilifi County, where he officially opened the 5th East Africa Public Relations Week and the 21st Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) Annual Summit, the CS called on communication professionals to uphold integrity, accuracy and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The summit brought together public relations practitioners, communication experts, policymakers and leaders from across the East African region to deliberate on the evolving role of communication in governance, institutional development and public service delivery.
Kabogo said the government was pursuing a raft of policy and legislative interventions aimed at strengthening the profession, improving communication standards and enhancing public confidence in government institutions.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the proposed Public Relations and Communication Management Bill, 2024, the National Communication Policy and the Government Communication Strategy 2025–2028.
The initiatives, he said, would provide a framework for professional practice, improve coordination in government communication and promote greater accountability in the sector.
The CS noted that as digital technologies continue to transform how information is produced, shared and consumed, communication professionals must adapt while maintaining high ethical standards.
“ In an era of artificial intelligence, misinformation and rapidly evolving digital technologies, credible, timely and responsible communication remains essential to building public trust and strengthening our institutions,” Kabogo said.
He said the government was also advancing plans to establish the Kenya School of Communication as a centre of excellence in training and research, a move expected to strengthen professional capacity and support the development of skilled communication practitioners.
The proposed institution would play a critical role in equipping professionals with the knowledge and expertise required to navigate emerging communication technologies and changing public information needs.
Kabogo further underscored the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening communication standards, saying collaboration among East African countries would be essential in addressing emerging challenges in the information ecosystem.
He said effective communication must remain at the heart of Kenya’s development agenda as the government expands digital connectivity and embraces technology driven public service delivery.
According to the CS, access to reliable information was essential in ensuring that citizens could participate meaningfully in national development and hold public institutions accountable.
“As we expand digital connectivity and transform public service delivery, effective communication must remain at the heart of our development agenda, ensuring every Kenyan is informed, engaged and empowered,” he said.
The CS commended the PRSK and its regional partners for championing professionalism, integrity and accountability in the communication sector.
He said a well informed citizenry was indispensable to building a strong, inclusive and progressive nation.
The summit comes at a time when public institutions and communication professionals are grappling with the growing influence of artificial intelligence, digital misinformation and the increasing demand for transparency in public affairs.
The discussions are expected to provide an opportunity for practitioners to explore emerging communication trends, strengthen professional networks and develop strategies for promoting credible information and public trust across the region.
Kabogo said the government’s commitment to professionalising communication was anchored on the need to ensure that citizens received accurate, timely and accessible information, particularly as Kenya continues to pursue its digital transformation agenda.
