Broadcast Media Africa has learnt that the national government of Kenya has recently granted the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) exclusive rights to broadcast all radio and TV announcements from government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
This also includes independent commissions and public universities, which will now be required to advertise through the state-owned broadcaster. According to Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Edward Kisiangani, this move is part of a larger strategy to ensure a smooth flow of public sector advertising services.
The decision to centralise public sector advertising aligns with Treasury Circular No. 09/2015, dated July 10, 2015, which communicated the Cabinet decision to centralise public sector advertising. The government aims to cut costs through a coordinated and well-managed procurement process that ensures maximum service levels at minimal costs.
Kisiangani emphasised that the Government Advertising Agency, which is tasked with coordinating all public sector advertisements, must approve all adverts to be aired. The new policy decision has been communicated to all principal secretaries, CEOs of state corporations, regulatory bodies and councils (SAGAs), independent commissions, and vice chancellors of public universities.
KBC’s national network coverage assures advertisers a nationwide reach. The government is keen to revive the broadcaster through a modernisation framework that will make it the premier national broadcaster in Africa. This effort requires the national broadcaster to lead the dissemination of information in Kenya.
Kisiangani also noted that the decision to centralise public sector advertising aligns with the government’s policy of reviving ailing public sector entities and ensuring that public-private partnerships are not skewed against public sector institutions. He added that the current situation, where the government owes media houses a substantial amount of money in pending bills, calls for adopting strategies.
