Principal Secretary (PS) for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Stephen Isaboke, has underscored the importance of continued re-tooling of staff at the Ministry of Information communications and the Digital economy.
He emphasised the need to enhance capacity-building initiatives of the staff through continuous training to develop their various skills in line with emerging trends in the job market.
He said the ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders, was keen to develop a vibrant human resources workforce in Public Service to effectively address the worrying staff shortage across departments to bridge challenges posed by succession management attributed to mass retirements.
Isaboke cited ongoing plans to train Public Communication Officers on Artificial Intelligence technology at the Government Training Institute, after a donor offered resources for the exercise, saying such gestures were valuable to retool and upskill the staff with the latest digital trends.
“They are learning the latest tools, how to run scripts, and most importantly, how to fact-check information rather than take everything at face value,” he remarked
Adding that, “such efforts aim to build critical capacity to equip our staff with the needed skills to process and support seamless government operations.
Addressing staff at the Ministry’s Headquarters in TelePosta Towers, Nairobi, PS Isaboke reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering services to the expectations of the public.
“Government is here to deliver, and the only way we can do it is to ensure that our processes, laws, and policies are responsive to the public needs,” adding that more work was yet to be covered despite progress made so far.
The PS made the remarks during a brief meeting with the staff, where he expressed his appreciation for their dedication and hard work that earned him recognition.
Isaboke received two prestigious National Awards for exemplary leadership and accountability: Achievement of an Unmodified Audit Opinion from the Office of the Auditor-General and Leadership in Driving the Public Service Transformational Agenda at the 2025 End-of-Year Public Service Reflection Dinner and Agenda-Setting Retreat held at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu.
The accolades highlight his role in promoting financial integrity, advancing institutional reforms, and enhancing service excellence within the Ministry.
On recruitment and staffing, PS Isaboke noted, “We are working with HR and the Public Service to fill existing vacancies and capacitate the Ministry. This ensures we have the right team in place to deliver results effectively.”
He also highlighted internal reforms, including weekly planning meetings to track departmental progress, encourage efficient use of limited resources, and implement innovative approaches, such as AI and fact-checking training for Public Communication Officers (PCOs).
“I hope we continue with the weekly meetings to review plans for the week and month and to focus on the big priorities. We’ve also begun, in a limited way, to use the resources we have to make a difference.”
He said, “Even when there is no budget, we ask ourselves how we can use the limited resources available to effect change, whether at the Kenya News Agency, the Public Communication Office, or through PCOs.” He added that the goal is to make a meaningful impact, emphasising that change does not always have to be large to be effective.
He challenged Ministry staff to give their best, noting, “Sometimes change is incremental; one step in the right direction can have a meaningful impact.”
“Even when we do not have the full budget, we focus on how to use the resources we have to make a difference. Because change is not a big thing; sometimes change is incremental,” he said, emphasising small but meaningful steps that improve service delivery.
He added that these efforts also support the government’s five pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, particularly Agriculture, MSMEs, Housing, Healthcare, and the Digital Economy.
PS Isaboke further urged staff to embrace responsibility, teamwork, and accountability, stressing that the New Year 2026 will focus on completing ongoing programmes and ensuring that government commitments reach citizens.
He encouraged staff to maintain work-life balance and prioritize personal well-being to remain effective in the service delivery.
As the year draws to a close, PS Isaboke thanked staff for their dedication and extended Seasons greetings, a Happy Christmas and New year, reminding them that public service success is a collective effort.
By Ian Chepkuto
