Government to enhance interests and development of minorities

Anita Omwenga-KNA

The State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications is partnering with the Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit to advocate for the interests and development needs of the minorities and marginalized communities in the country.

The partnership is focused on expanding broadcasting and development initiatives to underserved communities to ensure equitable visibility, access and participation of minority and marginalized populations in national, media and innovation programmes.

The Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr Stephen Isaboke, during the consultative meeting at Telposta Towers in Nairobi, said the department is ready to accord the necessary support to the Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit by providing national visibility to issues, initiatives, culture and voices of marginalized communities.

“Visibility initiatives will be captured through documentaries, interviews, news and development stories using communication and media outlets including Kenya News Agency (KNA), MyGov, Kenya Yearbook Editorial publications and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation,” he said.

The Secretary and Head of Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit, Mr Josphat Lowoi, said that the partnership will focus on showcasing culture and livelihoods of the minorities and marginalized communities, promoting inclusivity and helping to sensitize the public on minorities and marginalized communities’ rights.

“The strategic partnership will help unlock the full potential of these initiatives by aligning them with the Minorities and Marginalized Affairs Unit mandated to ensure outreach to these communities and awareness about them to the world at large,” he said. 

Mr Lowoi said that it will promote cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities and marginalized communities that will promote indigenous cultural practices, as well as act as a repository of important historical data for the communities being described often as marginalized and indigenous people, or native tribes.

He said the ICT Authority, and related broadcasting agencies are currently implementing programmes such as the Digital Literacy Programme, Presidential Digital Talent Programme, Last Mile Connectivity, Konza Technopolis and Studio Mashinani, among others.

 He said these initiatives offer vital platforms for access, inclusion and cultural expression, yet consumption and outreach in remote and historically excluded regions remain limited.