Political analyst and Advocate of the High Court Kepher Ojijo has challenged the government to improve how it communicates with Kenyans, warning that poor handling of public concerns can make even well-performing programmes appear unsuccessful.
Ojijo said the media also has a key role to play in keeping leaders accountable and ensuring that issues affecting ordinary citizens remain at the centre of public debate.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Friday, Ojijo praised media outlets for creating platforms where Kenyans can question leaders, discuss governance and raise concerns affecting their daily lives.
He singled out Radio Generation for what he described as its continued role in promoting conversations on leadership and governance. According to Ojijo, the station's programmes regularly give space to issues and concerns raised by members of the public.
However, he said the responsibility of keeping citizens informed should not rest with the media alone, urging the government to communicate more openly, especially when introducing major policy changes.
Ojijo used the transition from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) as an example, saying some difficulties were expected but the government did not do enough to explain the changes or respond to concerns raised by Kenyans.
"We are transitioning from NHIF to SHA. We don't expect it to happen smoothly. But what I have disagreed with this government on is the level of communication on how these things should happen and the expectations of the people. They can sell you a mountain, but when you get there, it is just a hill. The government should acknowledge the challenges people are facing and also have a plan on how to deal with them. You cannot simply say it is working and refuse to hear the concerns being raised."
Ojijo said how a government communicates its work can greatly influence how citizens judge its performance, arguing that poor communication can create a negative public view even where progress has been made.
"I personally think the government is not as bad as it is being portrayed. It may even be one of the most performing governments in terms of infrastructure, but because it has lacked the skill to communicate issues and take responsibility when challenges are raised, it appears to many people to be the worst government we have ever had."
He also pointed to the role played by both politicians and the media in shaping public opinion, saying failures often receive more attention than achievements.
"If you're a journalist, you know bad news sells best. If five things work and one fails, it is the one that did not work that people will remember. That is why leaders must communicate regularly, acknowledge weaknesses, explain their plans and, most importantly, take feedback from the people," he concluded.