All gov't agencies now ordered to exclusively air TV, radio adverts on KBC

The government has ordered all government agencies, independent commissions and public universities to exclusively air their TV and radio advertisements through State-owned broadcaster KBC.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Prof. Edward Kisiang'ani made the announcement on Friday highlighting that the directive aims to revive and change the fortunes of the struggling broadcaster.  

The directive, according to Prof. Kisiangani, is in line with a Treasury circular issued on July 10, 2015, that communicated the Cabinet's decision to centralize public sector advertising.

"In light of the foregoing, all public sector electronic (radio and television) advertisements from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that fall under the National Government, Independent Commissions and Public Universities shall be handled by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) upon authorization by the Government Advertising Agency (GM)," Kisiang'ani said in a circular to all Ministries.

The PS added that the strategic move will likewise ensure that the State pays for advertising services promptly to avoid owing money to media houses.

"These strategies must also align with the Government policy of reviving ailing public sector entities and ensuring that any public-private partnership is not skewed against public sector institutions," he said.

"Going forward, therefore, it has been deemed prudent to initiate measures to ensure that as public sector advertisers seek to access their target audiences through campaigns and other statutory announcements, the Government leverages on the provisions within its realm to revive and fully utilize its institutions."