As Dr. Isaac Mwaura concludes his tenure as Government Spokesperson after two years and 10 months in office, he has singled out Ministries, State Departments and Agencies that distinguished themselves through effective public communication and citizen engagement during his incumbency.
Speaking as he handed over office, Dr. Mwaura observed that strategic communication has become an essential pillar of governance, noting that ministries and agencies that communicate clearly are better able to build public trust, explain government policies, and demonstrate the impact of public programmes on the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
According to Dr. Mwaura, the National Treasury emerged as the best-performing ministry in terms of communication.
He particularly praised Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi for his ability to break down complex economic and fiscal matters into language that ordinary citizens can easily understand.
He pointed out that Treasury communication has become more accessible through regular media briefings, simplified explanations of budget measures, tax policies, public debt management and economic recovery interventions.
“Treasury has demonstrated that even highly technical economic information can be communicated in a way that citizens can relate to. The ability to simplify without losing accuracy is a major strength,” Dr. Mwaura affirmed.
The Ministry of Health, according to the outgoing Government Spokesperson, was ranked second for its efforts to keep the public informed despite operating under what he described as very difficult circumstances, including pressure on health financing, disease outbreaks, health worker concerns, and the implementation of ongoing health sector reforms.
Dr. Mwaura added that the Ministry had maintained consistent public updates on health programmes, vaccination campaigns, digital health reforms and emergency response measures, helping to sustain public awareness during a challenging period for the sector.
Coming in third was the Ministry of Agriculture, which he commended for its sustained communication on programmes affecting farmers, food production, and agricultural transformation.
He noted that the Ministry had effectively used both mainstream and digital platforms to disseminate information on fertilizer subsidies, crop support initiatives, irrigation projects and food security interventions across the country.
Among State Departments, Dr. Mwaura identified the State Department for Internal Security as the top performer, praising Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo for ensuring timely, coordinated, and responsive communication on matters of national security, disaster response, public safety, and government operations across the counties.
He also highlighted the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, under Principal Secretary Charles Hinga, for its strong communication on the government’s affordable housing programme.
According to Dr. Mwaura, the department had made significant efforts to explain the objectives of the housing agenda, progress of construction projects, job creation opportunities, and the broader economic benefits associated with the programme.
Dr. Mwaura further recognized the State Department for Public Health, led by Mary Muthoni, saying it had maintained strong public engagement on preventive healthcare, community health services, disease surveillance, and health promotion campaigns.
Equally, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, headed by Roseline Njogu, also received special recognition for its active engagement with Kenyans living abroad. He established that the department had consistently communicated on diaspora investment opportunities, consular services, labour mobility programmes, and the protection of the rights and welfare of Kenyans working overseas.
In the Agencies category, the outgoing Government Spokesman named the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) as the best communicator, citing its visibility in updating the public on major road projects, traffic management measures, infrastructure progress’ and travel advisories.
Likewise, he ranked the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) second, commending the Agency for effectively communicating developments at the Port of Mombasa, expansion projects, cargo handling performance, and initiatives aimed at improving regional trade and logistics.
For Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices, Dr Mwaura singled out the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) as a clear standout in public communication.
He highlighted that the commission had consistently articulated issues of gender equality, inclusion, disability rights, and the protection of vulnerable groups in a manner that encouraged public participation and national dialogue.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Mwaura emphasized that government communication should not merely be reactive but must proactively explain policies, address misinformation, and provide citizens with accurate and timely information about public programmes.
He said one of the major lessons from his tenure is that effective public communication can bridge the gap between government policy and citizen understanding, reducing speculation and enhancing accountability.
As he exits office, Dr. Mwaura expressed confidence that the progress made in strengthening government communication structures would continue, adding that telling the government story effectively remains essential in ensuring Kenyans are informed not only about challenges facing the country, but also about the achievements, reforms and development milestones being realized across different sectors of government.
He concluded by calling on public institutions to embrace communication as a tool for transparency, inclusion, national cohesion and public confidence, saying that a well-informed citizenry is critical for the success of any democratic government.
By Michael Omondi
