House Urges Sakaja to Establish Broadcast Service Policy 

• Section 95 (1) of the County Governments Act provides that a county government shall establish mechanisms to facilitate public communication and access to information in the county.
• This Financial Year 2023/2024, the Nairobi County budget on advertising stands at Kshs.141million. 

There is need for Nairobi City County Government to develop a broadcast service policy that will enhance effective communication and good governance.

The County Assembly has approved a Motion urging the County Executive to develop Nairobi City County Broadcast Service Policy.

In the Motion moved by the House Deputy Minority Whip Joyce Kamau Muthoni, on Wednesday August 1, 2023 the county legislature seeks to have a clear and robust county communication framework in line with devolved government.

The Motion which sailed through unanimously was seconded by nominated MCA Diana Katile, a Member of the Speaker’s Panel.

Section 95 (1) of the County Governments Act provides that a county government shall establish mechanisms to facilitate public communication and access to information in the form of media with the widest public outreach in the county.

The Motion says that by using a robust mass media communication, the County Government would be able to ensure coordination and participation of communities and locations in governance at the local level, which is the essence of devolution.

This is contemplated in paragraph 14 of Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, on functions of County Governments.

The County Assembly seeks to have a broadcast service policy established for effective dissemination of information, civic education and public participation for the residents in Nairobi county, which is also the capital city and seat of government.

If implemented by Governor Johnson Sakaja, the framework would comprise a gubernatorial digital press unit, county television and radio broadcast directorate, as well as customer service and complaint directorate as recommended by the county legislature.

The county law provides that county governments shall establish mechanisms to facilitate public communication and access to information through television stations, information, communication technology centres, websites, community radio stations, public meetings and traditional media.

Section 95 (2) of the County Governments Act provides that the county government shall encourage and facilitate other means of mass communication including traditional media.

“What encouraged me to come up with this Motion was the huge amount of money the county spends on advertising yet it is not effective enough”, Muthoni said.

She pointed out that this Financial Year 2023/2024, the Nairobi County budget on advertising stands at Kshs.141million. 

The MCA said if the proposed broadcast policy was service policy was established, the county would spend less yet be more effective in terms of outreach in its activities.

Muthoni promised to follow up the matter with the House Implementation Committee to see to it that it was acted upon.

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