KPA challenges media to help protect critical Kenyan brands

Kenya Ports Authority General Manager Corporate Services, Edward Kamau, has emphasised the importance of strengthened media partnerships aimed at telling the Kenyan story, which can assist local agencies in remaining competitive against regional competitors in business.

Kamau said this during a three-day media workshop bringing together representatives from KPA, journalists and stakeholders in the transport industry.  

In his speech delivered by Manager Human Resource Manager Ms. Irene Mbogho, he said that today’s fast-paced environment is always bound to have moments of crisis that need a reliable, objective and appropriate media that puts the human face to its reporting.

“As you convened here, we must recognize that businesses, including our industry, face a myriad of crisis kind of threats from natural disasters to technological failures and from public relations debacles to supply chain disruptions, the potential for crisis is ever present,” he said

“To protect our brand from further damage, it is crucial that as communicators you remain alert and adept in handling communication to the publics,” he added

The facilitators at the workshop were seasoned professionals with extensive experience in both media relations and crisis management.

Some of the topics that were issued by BlackGold Consult and Tech limited company who organized the event include; Crisis Management, Digital and Social Media Management, Ethical and Legal Considerations,Strategic PR Planning and Regional Focus & Strategies

Those who facilitated the training included Ali Manzu from The Standard group media KTN, Maureen Mudi regional coordinator Media Council of Kenya, Elkana Jacob, a Media strategist and a security expert, Joseph Kariuki digital media strategist, Charles Mghenyi of the Star newspaper, Emmanuel Nyamweya, Isaac Angote and Abdulkarim Mudathir.

The training came at a time oversight bodies and the public have been rating the performance of state corporations with KPA registering positive results in the last one year. 

Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto who has been credited for revambing and restoring order at the once struggling state agency has promised to ensure it remains a regional force.

KPA has been applauded for digitizing most of its operations in efforts to curb corruption.

Captain Ruto has been credited for the increased cargo vessels docking at the Mombasa port.

At least 50 vessels have docked at the port within the last four  weeks, among them Container cargo vessel 'Derby D' and 'Marathopolis Valletta'.

KPA has been making impactful progress after successfully handling 29.92 million tonnes of cargo between January to September 2024, marking a 12.1% increase compared to 26.68 million tonnes during the same period last year.