Free public participation and contribution plays a crucial role in helping the government improve on the quality of services delivered to the citizens.
The remarks were made by the Taskforce for Improvement of Government Information and Public Communications functions to align them with emerging Public Sector Dynamics and expectations team leader, Professor Murej Mak’Ochieng during a courtesy call to Meru County Commissioner, Alan Machari in his office.
Professor Mak’Ochieng said the taskforce is mandated to interact with the citizens in all the counties to gather information on how effective or ineffective government information and communication flow was to be able to compile and submit a comprehensive and factual report to the government to take the recommended action.
He said the government was convinced that open and free public participation was the most ideal for the government to be advised directly on how best to modify existing public communication practice and culture to suit the needs and expectations of the contemporary society.
The team leader said the government was committed to closing any existing gaps hindering effective government communication to the citizens to ensure every Kenyan enjoyed the right to access government information and communication from public institutions and organizations.
Professor Mak’Ochieng said the government had an obligation to ensure information was readily available to the public at all community levels as a way of empowering the citizenry with information on development plans geared towards improving livelihoods.
Other members in the team were Benadette Owade, a member of the taskforce secretariat, and Robin Njogu.
By Makaa Margaret
