BONYO: Communication should be core in national government administration

In addition, effective communication is a hallmark in good leadership and proper administration.

In recent years, we (journalists) struggle to get information from national government administrators at the basic representation levels.

Chiefs and their assistants, county, sub-county and regional commissioners only speak when necessary. While this seems to be the structure set for them, it makes the government miss out on crucial opportunities to get it right.

In instances that they have communicated, a majority miss the basics of communication and their attempts are lost either in translation or become the butt of jokes on social media.

The recent appointment of a new government spokesperson, a year after this administration came to office is welcomed. Late as it was, there is belief that the office of the government spokesperson would deliver the critical but now missing communication opportunities.

In a fast since the establishment of the office, the new holder is shored up by two deputies, one with the critical prowess of Kiswahili. Very thoughtful of the appointing authority to consider this. I applaud them.

However, work needs to be done in training and equipping the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) to communicate. Growing up, we were told that the government had its eyes and ears across the country.

My hometown Bondo, was and still remains the bastion of opposition. As a result, we grew up knowing that the state "was always listening and aware" of every move. Our parents capitalized on this to instil discipline at the household level and nothing to do with state operations.

The "eyes and ears" of government then were the village elders, assistant chiefs, chiefs, District Officers, District Commissioners, Provincial Commissioners and the dreaded Special Branch officers.

In what they succeeded in listening and seeing, they failed in communicating. This failure, either by default or design, still affects the NGAO. The Kenya Kwanza administration has the opportunity to remedy this and upset the old order.

Critical government officers in the administrative units should be able to speak for and on behalf of the government on a regular basis. This, need not wait for the office of the government spokesperson.

Public communication is defined as strategic communication used to share information to a group of people to deliver a message on a specific subject or topic. This is its most basic and fundamental definition.  

Many scholars and communication experts have argued, rightfully so that in any democracy, government is elected by its people. This, therefore makes it an institution for the people and by the people. As a result, it is essential that ordinary citizens are constantly informed about government work and empowered to take an active part in it.

This can only happen if the representatives of the government are well-appraised on the need to communicate and be equipped to do it. Indeed, article 35 of the Kenya Constitution of 2010 elaborates this explicitly.

But first, it would be critical to train all the cadres of NGAO on basic communication principles. This, followed up with other elements of communications such as how to handle the media, engage the media and most critically how to use digital media to advance state policies and agenda.

Ultimately information is power and an informed citizenry on government plans and policies, makes them active participants in governance.