The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has emphasised the crucial role of county communications teams in fostering strong media relations to enhance public engagement and trust.
MCK Mombasa Regional Coordinator Maureen Mudi declared that county communication officers have the ability to amplify local stories to increases public awareness and deepen understanding of county governance.
“Counties provide a platform to meet the growing demand for local stories. Communication officers must therefore seize this opportunity to highlight the impact of devolution,” she said during a training workshop for Kwale County’s communication team in Mombasa.
Ms Mudi advised participants to be mindful of message timing which should be in alignment with public interest and the county’s image, as poorly timed communications can risk backlash.
“Strategic messaging helps mitigate legal and reputational risks,” she noted,
She encouraged the communication teams to consider the wider impact of their narratives as well as create a guiding framework to ensure consistent, professional, and transparent messaging.
Emmadunnes Communication Strategist, Mr. Elkana Jacob, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of defining clear communication goals to improve the effectiveness of county media relations.
The training was organised by the Kwale County Government in collaboration with Emmadunnes Company Limited.