Homa Bay: The Ministry of Information Communication and Digital Economy is set to rollout Digital Superhighway Infrastructure which is crucial in the realization of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). To further achieve universal broadband access, this move will ensure the construction of about 100,000 kilometers of national fiber optic connectivity and the installation of 40 digital hubs in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, Information Cabinet Secretary Dr. Margaret Ndung’u announced that 40 digital hubs and health facilities will be connected with the internet by the end of the program. The announcement was made during the official opening ceremony of the 2024 Public Relations Society of Kenya Annual Summit at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay. This summit, the first of its kind in Homa Bay, witnessed the attendance of over 500 delegates from across the nation and beyond.
The speech of the CS, delivered by the Media Council of Kenya Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo, highligh
ted the ministry’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for public relations and communication professionals. Omwoyo revealed that a working group has been established to address sector gaps, resulting in the development of the PR and Communications Management Bill currently in parliament. This bill, along with other legal frameworks, aims to uphold high ethical standards, enhance credibility, and ensure that only qualified experts serve in the field.
During the conference, delegates emphasized the importance of technology and data-driven strategies and underscored the need for cross-sector collaborations. Dr. Ndung’u, through Omwoyo, also recognized the necessity to equip Public Communication Officers and Information Officers with tools to enhance their capacity. Collaborations with institutions like PRSK aim to deliver dynamic, relevant, and affordable training programs for these professionals.
Dr. Ndung’u noted that collaborative efforts by PR professionals could revolutionize engagement with
diverse audiences, leveraging tools like Artificial Intelligence and data analytics. She emphasized that these technologies are essential for building a vibrant digital ecosystem and advancing Kenya’s position as a global leader in communication and innovation. The CS also highlighted the need for effective communication strategies amid global crises such as wars and climate-induced calamities like floods and droughts.
Separately, Director of Public Communication Monica Omoro emphasized that many Kenyans have yet to fully understand the new health policy. The department is working to simplify information about the Social Health Authority, which offers more benefits than the former NHIF. Omoro urged the public to view SHA positively and embrace the health policy to reap its benefits.
Omoro also advised residents in flood-prone areas of Homa Bay to temporarily relocate to higher ground to avoid the dangers posed by ongoing rainfall, reassuring them that they could return home once the situation stabilizes.