Nairobi: The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications under the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy is partnering with the Executive Office of the President, Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit to advocate for the interests and development needs of the minorities and marginalized communities in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, the partnership is focused on expanding broadcasting and development initiatives to underserved communities, ensuring equitable visibility, access, and participation of minority and marginalized populations in national media and innovation programs. Principal Secretary in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr. Stephen Isaboke, expressed the department’s readiness to support the Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit by providing national visibility to issues, initiatives, culture, and voices of marginalized communities.
Mr. Isaboke highlighted that visibility initiatives will be captured through documentaries, interviews, news, and development stories using the communication outlets of the State Department, including Kenya News Agency, MyGov, Kenya Year Book Editorial publications, and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
The Secretary and Head of the Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit, Mr. Josphat Lowoi, noted that the partnership will focus on showcasing the culture and livelihoods of the minorities and marginalized communities, promoting inclusivity, and sensitizing the public on their rights. He emphasized that the strategic partnership will unlock the full potential of these initiatives by aligning them with the unit’s mandate to ensure outreach and awareness about these communities globally.
Mr. Lowoi added that promoting cultural diversity of ethnic minorities and marginalized communities will support indigenous cultural practices and serve as a repository of significant historical data for communities often described as marginalized and indigenous people or native tribes. He mentioned that the ICT Authority of Kenya and related broadcasting agencies are implementing programs like the Digital Literacy Programme, Presidential Digital Talent Programme, Last Mile Connectivity, Konza Techno polis, and Studio Mashinani, among others.
He further stated that these initiatives offer vital platforms for access, inclusion, and cultural expression, although consumption and outreach in remote and historically excluded regions remain limited.