Office of the Government Spokesperson Wins Inclusive Public Communication Award at GEDI Awards
He commended the Centre for placing gender and disability issues as a calling rooted in service, purpose, and commitment to ensuring no-one is left behind in society.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura. Photo/Courtesy.
By Ruth Sang
Though it was only in the recently concluded 10th National Gender and Disability Inclusion (GEDI) Awards at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi that the Office of the Government Spokesperson received the Inclusive Public Communication Award for the year 2025 for its commitment to inclusive communication.
As the fourth national award to be so awarded to the office within the year, it showcases these efforts that have gone towards the realization of communication as accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of women and persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups.
Under the leadership of the Government Spokesperson, the event brought together government leaders, civil society, development partners, and private sector actors to celebrate the achievements made by all stakeholders in the promotion of gender and disability inclusion in Kenya. The chief guest Government Spokesperson expressed deep appreciation for the honour and stated that it should be regarded as collective effort not individual honour.
The Government Spokesperson paid tribute to the GDDC and its partners for their continued leadership and commitment to inclusion. He commended the Centre for placing gender and disability issues as a calling rooted in service, purpose, and commitment to ensuring no-one is left behind in society.
In his speech, the Government Spokesperson shared the journey Kenya has travelled in promoting the rights of women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized communities and emphasized the need for an intersectional approach to policymaking and implementation in which so many individuals undergo multiple and overlapping forms of exclusion.
The launch of the national policy on ethnic minorities and marginalized communities was recognized as a key milestone for advancing inclusion and equity. The Government Spokesperson reiterated the administration’s commitment to gender and disability mainstreaming across all government sectors with a call to action for effective implementation of the already existing policies.
Stakeholders are urged to keep pushing for awareness around inclusion, improve the implementation of applicable policies, engage in inclusive communication, and work together to make the aspiration for equality an embedded reality rather than remaining a mere policy aspiration.
Dr. Richard Nasongo, CEO of the Gender and Disability Development Centre, intervened and highlighted the significant efforts Kenya has made towards equality and inclusion by referring to extraordinary achievements in gender-responsive budgeting, inclusive education, disability-friendly infrastructure, and increased social protection programmes.
Dr. Nasongo, however, noted that some critical gaps remain, like accessibility to public transport, discrimination against disabilities in the workplace, negative social perceptions, low participation of women in economic life, and general need for disability-disaggregated data that adequately informs development agenda formulation and service delivery.
The Government Spokesperson congratulated all nominees, saying that their work in government, education, justice, public service, and private sectors continues to bring concrete change. Thereafter, Dr. Nasongo unveiled that the next edition of the awards will benefit from evidence-based assessments and partnerships to adequately celebrate meaningful results.
As the event came to an end, it was a jubilant affair, full of renewals of commitment by all actors to continue building an inclusive Kenya as the festive season beckons.
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