Caroline Murianki

Today, in Malindi, Kilifi County, I officially opened the 5th East Africa Public Relations Week and the 21st PRSK Annual Summit, bringing together communication professionals and leaders from across the region. In an era of artificial intelligence, misinformation and rapidly evolving digital technologies, credible, timely and responsible communication remains essential to building public trust and strengthening our institutions. I reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to professionalising the communication sector through the Public Relations and Communication Management Bill, 2024, the National Communication Policy and the Government Communication Strategy 2025–2028. We are also advancing plans to establish the Kenya School of Communication as a centre of excellence for training and research, while strengthening regional cooperation and professional standards. As we expand digital connectivity and transform public service delivery, effective communication must remain at the heart of our development agenda, ensuring every Kenyan is informed, engaged and empowered. I commend the Public Relations Society of Kenya and our regional partners for championing professionalism, integrity and accountability. A well-informed citizenry is the foundation of a strong, inclusive and progressive nation.

Today, I attended the Second ICT Sector Intergovernmental Consultative Forum, bringing together the National Government and County Governments to discuss the direction of Kenya’s ICT sector and how we can work together to address issues affecting the sector. The forum provided an opportunity for us to review progress on resolutions from our previous meeting, agree on areas that require action and strengthen coordination between the two levels of government. Our discussions focused on the cost of installing fibre infrastructure, harmonisation of wayleave fees across counties, alignment of ICT infrastructure with county development plans, and the need to recognise communication towers as critical infrastructure. We also discussed cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, the implementation of the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and the coordination of digital hubs across the country. These conversations matter because the decisions we make at this table have a direct impact on how citizens access services and how we expand digital connectivity. We also reviewed the rollout of the Digital Maturity Index (DMI), a tool developed by the Council of Governors and partners to help counties assess their level of digital transformation, identify gaps and plan their investments. Assessments in Kisumu and Turkana counties have been completed, with Kitui underway and Murang’a scheduled for November. Our goal is to extend the assessment to all 47 counties and use the findings to guide digital transformation at the county level. I was joined by the Co-Chair and ICT Committee Chair of the Council of Governors, Hon. Wesley Rotich; Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT & Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui; Principal Secretary, State Department for Broadcasting & Telecommunications, Mr. Stephen Isaboke, Principal Secretary State Department for Devolution, Mr. Michael Lenasalon and other stakeholders and senior government officials. As we conclude this forum, our focus must shift to implementing the resolutions we have agreed upon. I believe that when the National Government and County Governments work together, we can address the challenges facing the sector and ensure that digital transformation reaches every county and serves the needs of our people