Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe with the m
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Communications Director Joel Chacha has expressed gratitude after being recognised among Kenya’s top five best public communications officers during the tenure of Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.
Chacha said the recognition was a reflection of the efforts by his team to improve how the ministry communicates government policies, programmes and opportunities to the public.
He was recognised in the awards released by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, which ranked the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development among the top three best-communicating ministries in government.
“I am deeply honoured to be recognised among Kenya’s Top 5 Best Public Communications Officers by the Office of the Government Spokesperson,” Chacha said.
He said the award was particularly meaningful because it recognised not only individual effort but also the collective work of the ministry’s communications team and leadership under Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
“For me, public communication is more than telling the government's story. It is about ensuring that citizens understand the policies, programmes and opportunities designed to impact their lives, while building trust through timely, clear and credible information,” he said.
Chacha said effective communication was critical in agriculture, a sector that directly affects millions of Kenyans through food production, livestock, markets, farm inputs and government support programmes.
He said his team would continue working to ensure information from the ministry reaches farmers and other stakeholders in a clear, timely and accessible manner.
The former journalist dedicated the recognition to his colleagues, the ministry leadership, government agencies, partners and journalists who help disseminate information to the public.
“I dedicate this recognition to the incredible communications team I have the privilege of working with, the leadership of the Ministry led by CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, our agencies and partners, and members of the media who continue to help us take the agriculture and livestock story to millions of Kenyans,” Chacha said.
The recognition came as the Office of the Government Spokesperson released its assessment of the best communicators and government institutions in telling the government’s story.
Mwaura, who served as the fifth Government Spokesperson, also ranked the best-performing media personalities and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in communicating the government’s story.
The awards covered ministries, State departments, State agencies, constitutional commissions and independent offices, as well as strategic partners.
The National Treasury and Economic Planning, led by John Mbadi, was ranked the best-communicating ministry, followed by the Ministry of Health and Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Among State agencies, Kenya National Highways Authority emerged top, followed by Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority.
The State Department for Interior and National Administration was ranked the best State department, while the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) emerged as the top state agency.
The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) was ranked the best among constitutional commissions and independent offices, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) emerging first runner-up.
Chacha said the recognition had also increased the responsibility placed on communicators to maintain high standards.
“The work continues. More stories to tell, more people to reach, and an even greater responsibility to communicate with impact,” he said.
