Mwaura ranks Treasury best in government communication

The National Treasury has been ranked the best-performing government ministry in public communication by outgoing Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who praised its efforts to make complex economic and fiscal matters easier for Kenyans to understand.

Speaking during his handover ceremony, Mwaura said the Treasury had distinguished itself through proactive, timely and citizen-centred communication, helping the public better understand government policies, economic reforms and public finance programmes.

He placed the Ministry of Health second and the Ministry of Agriculture third in his assessment of government ministries’ performance in public communication.

Mwaura said the Treasury had effectively communicated several major reforms and initiatives.

“The Ministry has effectively explained major reforms, including the rollout of the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System, the transition to IPSAS Accrual Accounting, and the implementation of the National Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) reforms,” he stated.

Other areas highlighted included the Single Treasury Account (TSA), Zero-Based Budgeting, debt management initiatives, Budget and Finance Bill proposals, capital markets reforms and other public finance management interventions.

According to Mwaura, the Treasury’s communication strategy had gone beyond issuing official statements to actively engaging citizens through different platforms.

He cited nationwide public participation forums, media engagements, television and radio interviews, opinion articles, simplified policy explainers, activity on the ministry’s X platform and regular updates on its website as approaches that had helped improve public understanding.

The ministry had also published information materials aimed at breaking down technical economic and financial issues into language that ordinary citizens could understand, Mwaura said.

He said such efforts had helped the government communicate its policies more effectively, while also addressing misinformation and improving transparency and accountability.

Mwaura emphasised that effective government communication should not only respond to issues after they arise but should anticipate public concerns and provide information before misinformation takes hold.

“Government communication should not merely be reactive. It must proactively explain policies, address misinformation and provide citizens with accurate and timely information. A well-informed citizenry is critical for the success of any democratic government,” Mwaura said.

Mwaura also recognised other government institutions for their public engagement efforts.

The State Department for Internal Security, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) were among the institutions he singled out for outstanding public communication.

Former Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura officially handed over the Office of the Government Spokesperson to his successor Charles Owino, bringing to an end his tenure.

President William Ruto redesignated him as Head of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Disability Rights in the Executive Office of the President.