Fred Matiang’i: Jubilee Government not performing poorly

Information Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i

NAIROBI: Information Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i now claims the government is not performing poorly but only failing to communicate its achievements effectively.

In a speech to the ongoing World Conference on Public Relations in Nairobi, Prof Matiangi claimed that the government has been facing intense criticisms from the public and opposition leaders over its performance even though the country is doing well.

"Every known credible source of information is saying that Kenya is doing well. We are growing much faster than the sub Saharan Africa average. We are on the trajectory of success. Every indicator you look points out the fact that we are one of the fastest growing economies and we are doing well," he said.

He added: "Yet every day as a government, we wake up to intense criticism. Our brothers and sisters in the other side of the political divide always bay for our blood saying we have failed. Why is that people don't see the great things that we do? We need effective, accurate public communication."

Recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta came under strong criticism from opposition leaders for saying that all is well in the country despite allegations of high-level graft in government, sliding current and rising interest rates among issues.

A recent opinion poll by Infotrak suggested that majority of Kenyans (62 per cent) see the country under the Jubilee government as heading in the wrong direction due to runaway graft, high cost of living and unemployment.

Matiang'i said: "We not only need to grow the economy, have the right policies, do the right things, but we also need to communicate more effectively so that whatever we do can be heard."

He added: "For every Cabinet secretary, the question that rings at the back our minds every morning when we wake up is: why doesn't the public understand the work that we are doing? How can it be that they don't see the achievements of the government that we see?"

Prof Matiang'i cited the issue of the Sh275 billion shilling Eurobond that the government floated in the international market to borrow funds, saying it has been handled well by the government despite strong allegations of graft raised by sections of Kenyans.

Prof Matiang'i also said that an effective communication strategy will enhance investments and tourism in the county and boost the economy.

He revealed that the Access to Information bill and Data protection bill which will enhance the practice of communication and accountability in the government are being considered by the Cabinet before being forwarded to parliament.

"The bills are expected to boost transparency and accountability in the government operations since sharing information will be much easier and institutionalised," he said.

The three-day conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Nairobi, Kenya is expected to address key issues in the practice of public relations and communications.