The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called on county officials to grant access to information to promote transparency and an informed public.
MCK CEO David Omwoyo says that there is a constant need for sensitisation among public officers on the importance of proactive disclosure of information.
He argued that this would not only facilitate the media’s role in delivering accurate information but also enable the public to be informed and educated.
“There is a need to sensitise public officers on the importance of proactive disclosure of information. This will ensure that the media gets the right information and fulfills its constitutional role of informing and educating the public”, he said at a training session on Proactive Disclosure of Information for County Officials in Nakuru County.
Mr Omwoyo highlighted the necessity for the government and the media to cultivate a symbiotic relationship that serves the common good. He appealed to the media to focus on positive developments within the government as opposed to gravitating towards controversies.
“The media should not always focus on controversial information but should also share success stories about the government. This will help break down the mistrust between the government and the media”, he added.
Executive Director for the Midrift Hurinet Joseph Omondi underscored the critical role of public officers in sharing accurate information with the public.
‘’Public officers are required to share information whenever requested. Withholding such details for political reasons undermines transparency and weakens trust between the government and citizens”, he stated.
Mr Omondi also called for the implementation of the Citizen Service Charter saying that it would help in providing citizens with information on the services offered in the government offices.
County Government of Nakuru Representative Jackline Osoro stressed on the need to utilise vernacular radio stations to educate the public on their rights and privileges, noting their effectiveness in reaching the masses.
‘’Vernacular radio stations have the power to reach the grassroots in ways that other platforms may not. We must utilise these stations effectively to deliver government messages and create interactive programs for the where citizens’’, she said.