CS Kabogo Urges Shift Toward Honest and Ethical Communication Practices
Conclusion The CS commended PRSK for twenty years of solid leadership in growing the profession, while appreciating the people of Uasin Gishu for hosting the summit.
Kabogo further elucidated several initiatives that the government has put in place to enhance professionalism and coordination in public communication. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, EGH, Cabinet Secretary of Kenya for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, emphasized the need for authenticity, integrity, and high ethics standards for all communicators across the country.
His message was delivered on his behalf by Patricia Terer Ondeng, the Secretary for Public Communication, during the official opening of the 20th Annual Public Relations Society of Kenya Summit held in Eldoret on Tuesday, December 2.
Kabogo reflected on how the communication environment has drastically changed and how professionals in the field now operate under immense scrutiny and fast-changing public expectations. He observed that, as information travels faster than ever and digital platforms have developed that can shape opinions in an instant, today’s audiences increasingly demand more from communications professionals than just eloquent statements. He added that they are looking for communications that are transparent, accountable, and supported by real institutional behavior.
Speaking on the summit theme, “Beyond Words: Authentic Communication that Shapes Tomorrow,” the CS underlined that substantive communication involves more than just elaborate messages and must be backed by credibility and congruent actions: “Once broken, trust is eminently hard to rebuild, and for that very reason, honesty and integrity are core values in all public and private institutions.”
Kabogo further elucidated several initiatives that the government has put in place to enhance professionalism and coordination in public communication. These include the almost complete National Communication Policy, the approved Government Communication Strategy 2024–2027, and the Public Relations and Communications Management Policy. He mentioned the upcoming Public Relations and Communications Management Bill, which provides for mechanisms that will ensure the enforcement of ethical practices and that government communication adopts a unified principle: “One Government, One Voice.”
The CS addressed the influence of modern technology, saying artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and algorithm-driven online platforms have transformed the ways in which information is shared and processed. While this opened up new avenues for storytelling and engagement, he warned against using it in ways that undermined the truth. He underlined the fact that communication practitioners now have an even greater responsibility to protect truth, fairness, and ethics.
Kabogo reminded the communication experts to apply critical thinking in their work as it pertains to impacting national unity and public awareness. He wants them to develop messages that appeal to the public, but that also positively impact the social and economic development of the country. Effective communication, he said, should help build an informed and cohesive society. Conclusion The CS commended PRSK for twenty years of solid leadership in growing the profession, while appreciating the people of Uasin Gishu for hosting the summit. Kabogo officially opened the event by calling for deeper reflection, creativity, and a fresh resolve for communication that remains authentic, responsible, and transformative of Kenya for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, emphasized the need for authenticity, integrity, and high ethics standards for all communicators across the country.
His message was delivered on his behalf by Patricia Terer Ondeng, the Secretary for Public Communication, during the official opening of the 20th Annual Public Relations Society of Kenya Summit held in Eldoret on Tuesday, December 2.
Kabogo reflected on how the communication environment has drastically changed and how professionals in the field now operate under immense scrutiny and fast-changing public expectations. He observed that, as information travels faster than ever and digital platforms have developed that can shape opinions in an instant, today’s audiences increasingly demand more from communications professionals than just eloquent statements. He added that they are looking for communications that are transparent, accountable, and supported by real institutional behavior.
Speaking on the summit theme, “Beyond Words: Authentic Communication that Shapes Tomorrow,” the CS underlined that substantive communication involves more than just elaborate messages and must be backed by credibility and congruent actions: “Once broken, trust is eminently hard to rebuild, and for that very reason, honesty and integrity are core values in all public and private institutions.”
Kabogo further elucidated several initiatives that the government has put in place to enhance professionalism and coordination in public communication. These include the almost complete National Communication Policy, the approved Government Communication Strategy 2024–2027, and the Public Relations and Communications Management Policy. He mentioned the upcoming Public Relations and Communications Management Bill, which provides for mechanisms that will ensure the enforcement of ethical practices and that government communication adopts a unified principle: “One Government, One Voice.”
The CS addressed the influence of modern technology, saying artificial intelligence, deepfake technology, and algorithm-driven online platforms have transformed the ways in which information is shared and processed. While this opened up new avenues for storytelling and engagement, he warned against using it in ways that undermined the truth. He underlined the fact that communication practitioners now have an even greater responsibility to protect truth, fairness, and ethics.
Kabogo reminded the communication experts to apply critical thinking in their work as it pertains to impacting national unity and public awareness. He wants them to develop messages that appeal to the public, but that also positively impact the social and economic development of the country. Effective communication, he said, should help build an informed and cohesive society. Conclusion The CS commended PRSK for twenty years of solid leadership in growing the profession, while appreciating the people of Uasin Gishu for hosting the summit. Kabogo officially opened the event by calling for deeper reflection, creativity, and a fresh resolve for communication that remains authentic, responsible, and transformative.
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