State's tight hold on information unsettling

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks in a pre-recorded video address during the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kasarani, Nairobi. [PSCU]

Action might speak louder than words, but words can cause a lot of damage before action has a chance to put her underwear on. Messaging is extremely important. Communication is like a lubricant; it clears the way for hard decisions to be made, and decisive action to be taken. But perhaps the most important function of communication is influence. Good communicators use their words to influence behaviour. So, you would think there would be corner offices stuffed with comms and public relations people in every government department. You would be wrong. Of the comms teams that do exist, you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone willing to give you information.