The government has ordered all ministries, State departments, agencies and State corporations to adopt a unified communication strategy in a fresh push to improve public information, strengthen citizen engagement and combat misinformation.
In a circular dated August 17, 2026, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei directed Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, chief executive officers of State corporations and heads of government agencies to align their public communication with the Government Strategic Communication Policy, 2025.
The directive is among the strongest attempts by President William Ruto’s administration to centralise government messaging, following concerns over inconsistent communication by public institutions that have often left citizens confused about government programmes and policies.
Koskei said effective communication was no longer an optional support function but a core pillar of public service delivery and governance.
“As we enter into the final year of the first term of the Fifth Administration, your attention is drawn to the urgent need to proactively communicate and timely engage the public on key government policies, programmes and initiatives,” the circular states.
He said a coordinated communication framework was necessary to help citizens understand government priorities while protecting institutions from misinformation and disinformation.
One voice across government
The Government Strategic Communication Policy provides the framework for a coordinated, proactive and responsive public communication system across government institutions.
Its objectives include harmonising communication across government, enhancing transparency, promoting institutional reputation and building an information ecosystem that incorporates traditional and digital communication channels.
The latest directive requires government institutions to speak with one voice on national policies and development programmes.
Koskei ordered ministries and agencies to integrate communication into policy formulation, programme implementation and service delivery instead of treating it as an afterthought.
Every Ministry, Department and Agency (MDA) must designate a Government Communication Focal Point responsible for coordinating communication activities and ensuring compliance with national guidelines.
Communication officers are expected to participate in leadership discussions involving policy decisions, projects and programmes so that communication strategies are developed alongside implementation plans.
The Head of Public Service said communication professionals should advise institutions on stakeholder engagement, media relations and public participation from the beginning of government initiatives.
Communication officers get wider role
The circular significantly expands the responsibilities of government communication officers.
Beyond handling media inquiries and issuing press releases, they will be expected to develop strategic communication plans, coordinate public engagement, manage institutional reputation and monitor misinformation circulating online.
They must also ensure government messages reach citizens through both traditional media and digital platforms while collecting public feedback to improve service delivery.
Koskei said communication must strengthen accountability and make government programmes more accessible to wananchi.
Social media placed at centre
Recognising the growing influence of social media, the government has directed MDAs to strengthen their digital communication capacity.
Institutions have been instructed to maintain active official social media accounts, regularly publish verified information and respond promptly to misinformation and false narratives affecting government programmes.
Digital platforms are expected to become a primary avenue for public engagement and feedback alongside conventional media.
The move reflects the growing challenge facing governments in an information environment where official statements compete with social media posts, online commentary and rapidly circulating claims.
Government Spokesperson to coordinate messaging
The Office of the Government Spokesperson has been designated as the central coordination point for government communication and messaging across public institutions.
The office will oversee implementation of government communication policies and work to ensure uniform messaging across ministries, State departments and agencies.
The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications has also been assigned a key role in coordinating communication through national information and communication channels.
It will work with institutions including the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Kenya News Agency (KNA), Kenya Year Book Editorial Board (KYEB), Government Advertising Agency (GAA), National Communications Centre (NCC), ICT Authority (ICTA) and the Public Communications Officers Network.
Crisis communication plans made mandatory
Another major requirement is the preparation of institutional crisis communication plans.
Every ministry, department and State corporation must develop a communication and risk identification plan to guide public messaging during emergencies, policy disputes and other sensitive national issues.
Koskei said coordinated crisis communication was necessary to maintain public confidence and prevent conflicting statements during periods of uncertainty.
The plans are expected to establish how institutions will communicate during crises, identify potential communication risks and ensure that citizens receive timely and consistent information.
Government projects to get proactive publicity
The circular also directs government institutions to proactively publicise development programmes, infrastructure projects, policy reforms and service delivery achievements.
Institutions must communicate project milestones, implementation progress and outcomes through structured communication plans rather than relying solely on media coverage.
The strategy also requires mechanisms for receiving feedback from citizens and, where appropriate, incorporating public concerns into government programmes.
To enhance accountability, all MDAs have been directed to develop communication plans and submit regular reports on communication activities undertaken in support of their mandates.
The reports are expected to show how institutions are engaging citizens, promoting government programmes and responding to misinformation.
Koskei urged accounting officers to take immediate action to ensure full implementation of the directives across government.
The circular comes as the Kenya Kwanza administration enters the final year of its first term and seeks to improve public understanding of flagship programmes, including infrastructure development, affordable housing, universal health coverage and digital transformation.
The new communication regime is therefore intended not only to give the government a single voice but also to make that voice more proactive, digitally responsive and capable of countering misinformation before it takes root.
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