Every five years, Kenya’s electorate becomes the center of attention for politicians when the bell rings for the general elections. For the common man in the streets and villages, it is always a tall order to differentiate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to voting the candidates with the best interests of the common folks and the nation.
Millions of Kenyans are left at the mercy of the mainstream media to get information about candidates, their agenda, and anything that would make them electable or not. Sometimes some media housed loss the objectivity and fairness in covering all the candidates and the issues around the election.
It is on such grounds that public information officers should play a critical role in educating Kenyans on the issues around elections, telling them the truth based on facts, and leaving the voting decisions to Kenyans.
To underscore the critical role of public communication and information officers in the forthcoming election, the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) organized an election reporting preparedness training last week, bringing public communicators from the 47 counties.
In her opening remarks, Dinnah Ondari, the MCK manager of Press Freedom, Safety, and Advocacy, underscored the crucial role that public information officers have to play in informing and educating Kenyans about the upcoming general election.
“You’re the eyes and ears of the public and owe them the truth always and more so during this electioneering period. You do not expect a lot of that truth to come from private media and so much less so from politicians who want to win by all means. You stand in a pivotal space to inform and educate the Kenyan voter. It’s your cardinal duty to the public,” said Dinnah Ondari.
In the past, general elections have been marred with violence emanating from disinformation and a lack of public sensitization before and after the elections.
Kenya, as a democracy coming of age, is trying to shake off the tag of violence every five-year cycle and become a regional example of fair, free, and peaceful elections.
The MCK training equipped public information officers with the knowledge and skills to chart through the electioneering period and most importantly be focal persons in ensuring Kenyans exercise their democratic rights in the best political environment.
“You’re taking the front seat in ensuring the public understands everything about the elections. Give them the facts, be a beacon of truth, and most importantly be patriotic in everything you do,” said Owino Opondo, a media trainer.
The government is putting in place mechanisms for a peaceful political environment through various ministries and agencies with a focus on protecting the public and ensuring the country remains peaceful after 9th August 2022.
