Residents of Nandi County have called for a major shift in the way government communicates with the public, saying information on government projects, programmes, policies, and services should be delivered professionally.
The residents said government communication should be handled primarily by professional information and communication officers, rather than political leaders, arguing that politicians are often viewed as partisan and therefore struggle to command public confidence when explaining government initiatives.
A communication expert, John Komen from Songhor-Soba Ward in Tinderet Sub-county, said government information and communication officers are better placed to provide factual and balanced information on what the government is doing, where projects are being implemented, their cost, beneficiaries, and the expected impact on communities.
Komen stated that many government projects were transforming communities but remained unknown beyond their immediate areas because information about them was not well packaged before being disseminated to the public.
He cited investments in roads, health facilities, schools, water projects, agriculture, electricity connectivity, and social protection programmes as initiatives that deserved regular public communication.
“People should be told what the government is doing in their villages, the amount being invested, the benefits, and how they can participate. This information should come from professional communicators who can explain it without turning it into political propaganda,” he said.
A civil society activist, Jane Jelimo, said highlighting government programmes should be an important component of public communication because it enables citizens to understand the services and opportunities available to them.
Jelimo stated that communication officers should document projects from inception to completion, using photographs, videos, radio interviews, feature stories, and printed materials to demonstrate their impact.
She said a newly constructed classroom block, health facility, water project, road, or agricultural programme should not simply be commissioned and forgotten but followed up on to show how it is improving people’s lives.
“Government information should tell the complete story. It should explain what was promised, what has been delivered, who is benefiting and what remains to be done,” he said.
Community empowerment advocate Moses Yator said political leaders should concentrate on policy leadership and representation while trained information officers take responsibility for communicating government activities.
Yator asserted that separating political messaging from official government communication would help rebuild public confidence in government information.
“People want facts. When a politician announces a project, some citizens immediately view it through a political lens. An information officer can explain the same project objectively and provide the necessary details,” he said.
He added that communication should also reflect the diversity of audiences. “While some citizens access information through social media and websites,” he went on, “many people in rural areas continue to depend on radio, public meetings, and printed materials.”
Yator proposed that information on government policies, projects, and programmes be packaged simultaneously in different formats.
Radio could provide short explanatory messages and interviews; audiovisual content could demonstrate projects and beneficiaries, while newspapers, newsletters, posters, and brochures could provide detailed information that residents can retain for future reference.
Komen further said government information should also be translated from technical language into ordinary language without compromising accuracy.
He said complicated terms contained in development plans, budgets, and policy documents should be explained in a manner that enables ordinary citizens to understand their practical implications.
The specialist added that communication officers should regularly visit project sites and communities to collect first-hand information, speak to beneficiaries, and document the impact of government interventions.
He further urged government institutions to establish stronger feedback mechanisms so that communication becomes a two-way process.
Businessman James Kamau said citizens should have opportunities to ask questions, raise concerns, and provide feedback on projects and services.
Kamau argued that effective government communication should therefore go beyond issuing press statements whenever a project is launched.
He called for continuous highlighting of government investments and programmes while providing citizens with accurate information about their implementation and results.
Community elder Jack Koech said professional and nonpartisan communication would not only showcase government achievements but also promote transparency, accountability, and public participation.
Koech explained that when citizens clearly understand what government is doing, where resources are being invested, and how they can benefit, trust in public institutions is likely to improve.
He suggested that government information be communicated to the grassroots through audio, audiovisual, and print platforms in order to ensure that no community is left behind.
By Sammy Mwibanda
