State (mis)communication has fuelled El Nino floods misery

In Mombasa, several people lost their lives and homesteads got marooned by floodwater. But before even authorities in the coastal city and county governments affected by El Nino could divulge their mitigation plans, another unsolicited communication came calling; Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed the national government had released Sh10 billion to the 47 counties for flood mitigation. The boisterous second-in-command singled out Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir for doing little to help flood-hit families in his county.

Mr Gachagua's communication rubbed the Council of Governors the wrong way; they convened a press conference and categorically refuted the DP's claim that counties had received El Nino preparedness and mitigation funds from the national government. But even before Gachagua-vs-Governors' communication fiasco came to the fore, the director of the Meteorological Department David Gikungu apologised over the government's miscommunication on the El Nino rains. Days later, he was quoted in the media as saying he did not know who gave Dr Ruto false information that the department had scaled down its El Nino phenomenon alert.

As a young communications scholar and a budding journalist, I subscribe to research findings that communication is the hallmark of leadership and good communication etiquette is key not only in the running of the affairs of a nation but even families. In most cases, conflicts escalate when there is no communication or poor communication is in place. Relationships whether among people or states collapse when communication etiquette is thrown out of the window. So, the Kenya Kwanza government's inability to communicate correctly and effectively on such a crucial matter like the El Nino disaster calls for urgent self-evaluation on its public communication policy.

The glaring misinformation and disjointed communication on matters of national importance are a direct indictment on the Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura. In an ideal situation, it is the prerogative and responsibility of the spokesperson to initiate, plan, mobilise, organise and coordinate government communication on issues of grave concern such as El Nino. But the question is, is Mr Mwaura fit for the position? Is he a communications specialist or was his appointment politically instigated?

It is disheartening that Kenyans are losing their lives partly due to poor and disjointed public communication.

Ms Mohamed is a communications and journalism student.