A Critical Analysis Of The Strategic And Political Dimensions Of Central National Government Communication In Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to critically analyse the strategic and political dimensions of government communication by focusing on PSCU, OGS, and Ministry of ICT. The objectives were to; Determine the structures and processes of communication, Investigate whether communication is strategically managed; Examine the role of the political system on the operations of communication; and, the extent to which government communication facilitates citizen participation. The study was grounded on excellence and deliberative democracy theories. A single-case (embedded) design was adopted and the target population was the communication professionals working at PSCU, OGS, and Ministry of ICT. Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires and document analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data was thematically analysed. The study found out that government communication was transitional, its structures were defined by the existing political power and governance structure. The structures and processes were decentralized, fragmented and tactical. The findings indicated that government communication lacked the overarching strategy, was poorly coordinated and had short-term plans hence contradicting messages. The findings also indicated that there were two cadres of professionals: political appointees and civil servants, however the two cadres were not well managed and coordinated. Further the study found out that the internet provided new possibilities for transparency and citizen engagement, it provided new ways and channels of information dissemination and interaction. Government communication should be professionalised, be based on frameworks and policies that are encultured on the precept of strategic communication.