Machakos: The government, through the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunication and the Directorate of Public Communication, is set to develop guidelines for managing government website content to restore confidence in government while reflecting on relevance, consistency, and uniformity across all government websites.

According to Kenya News Agency, Monica Omoro, Director of the Directorate of Public Communications, announced the initiative at a stakeholder meeting in Machakos. She stated that the guidelines aim to streamline content creation, publication, and maintenance to ensure that government information remains accurate, timely, accessible, and transparent.

Omoro highlighted that government websites serve to increase visibility and disseminate information. The three-day stakeholder meeting is focused on establishing a framework that upholds credibility, enhances user experience, and aligns with global best practices in digital governance.

The Director noted discrepancies in current government websites, citing inconsistencies such as outdated and duplicate information and inadequate accessibility for People with Disabilities (PWDs). The new guidelines aim to address these issues, fostering public trust through transparency, engagement, and inclusivity.

The guidelines will focus on standardization, accountability, security, and public engagement. They will ensure that government websites are accessible, coherent, and encourage public participation and feedback. Language considerations, including the use of Swahili and English, will be included to make websites visitor-friendly and ensure compliance with internationally recognized practices.

Omoro also addressed challenges faced by Public Communication Officers in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, such as stagnation, insufficient office space, and budgetary constraints that have affected performance. Retooling officers, acquiring additional space, and procuring new equipment are seen as steps to improve productivity and morale.

In response to these challenges, the State Department for Broadcasting, under former PS Prof. Edward Kisiangani, requested a Sh60 million allocation from the National Treasury PS for recurrent expenditures across all MDACs to support operations, procurement, and maintenance of equipment and services.