Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications under the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy is partnering with the Office of the President, Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit to advocate for the interests and development needs of minorities and marginalised 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 Marginalised populations in national, media and innovation programmes.

Principal Secretary (PS) for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke said when he addressed a consultative meeting at Telposta Towers in Nairobi, that the department is ready to accord the necessary support to Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit, by providing national visibility to issues, initiatives, culture and voices of the communities.

“Visibility initiatives will be captured through documentaries, interviews, news and development stories using communication state-owned media outlets that include Kenya News Agency (KNA), MyGov, Kenya Year Book Editorial publications and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation,” he said.

Secretary and Head of Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit Josphat Lowoi said that partnership will focus on showcasing culture and livelihoods of the minorities and marginalised communities, promoting inclusivity and help to sensitise the public on minorities and marginalised communities’ rights.

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

Lowoi said that it will promote cultural diversity of the ethnic minorities and marginalised 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 marginalised and indigenous people, or native tribes.

He said that the ICT Authority of Kenya 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.

Furthermore, 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.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anita Omwenga