Homa Bay Women Representative Joyce Atieno during National Assembly Committee on ICT meeting with MDAs at a Nairobi Hotel on September 11,2025. PHOTO/ENOS TECHE
Members of Parliament have criticised the government’s communication strategy, saying poor messaging has left it vulnerable to heavy criticism from the public.
Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Atieno, popularly known as Bensouda, said the way government information is being conveyed is ineffective and called for structured training for those tasked with the responsibility.
“The reason the government is facing so much backlash is because those entrusted with information are not delivering it as intended,” she told a parliamentary committee.
Atieno urged the Ministry of Information to empower the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) with resources to train individuals often referred to as “bloggers” on how to responsibly and accurately relay government information.
“I personally don’t like the name ‘blogger,’ but we cannot categorise all of them as bad people. With a bit of training, they can help ensure factual reporting and effective messaging,” she added.
ICT PS: John Tanui engage with Homa Bay Women Representative Joyce Atieno during the National Assembly Committee on ICT meeting with MDAs at a Nairobi Hotel on September 11,2025.PHOTO/ENOS TECHE
“How are people getting away with so many pseudo accounts? What is the next step in cleaning up the online space?” he asked.
In response, ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui said the government has introduced initiatives aimed at equipping young people with digital skills and encouraging them to see the online space as a viable working environment.
ICT PS John Tanui speaks during the National Assembly Committee on ICT meeting with MDAs at a Nairobi Hotel on September 11,2025.PHOTO/ENOS TECHE
“This is largely a global issue given the vast number of users in the digital space. We have engaged bloggers to raise awareness and link them to opportunities, while also monitoring what other developed countries such as the US and Australia are doing,” Tanui said.
The ICT Ministry is also pushing for legal reforms to regulate how young people engage in the digital space. As part of efforts to improve communication, the government has recruited 290 digital officers to manage digital hubs across the country.
Tanui, who also oversees the digital economy docket, noted that the new officers include diploma holders. In addition, at least 100,000 civil servants will undergo training at the Kenya School of Government to enhance the flow of government information.
