The government is considering at possibilities of devolving state-run Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) TV and Radio to help county governments effectively drive their development agendas.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary(PS) Samuel Itemere said besides having well trained personnel, KBC has a wider and national coverage with the Radio having more than 17 vernacular channels that could benefit the 47 counties.
Speaking during the 4th annual devolution conference in Naivasha, the PS expressed concern over sustainability challenges citing requirements of 40% local content ,which he said would be expensive for the counties.
Itemere however said the County governments in collaboration with the inter-governmental agencies were working on modalities to finding the best way of using the media to promote development agendas at the county levels.
On internet, the PS regretted that the county governments had contributed to the current delays in connecting all the 47 counties, saying heavy taxation on the companies laying down the fiber optic cable infrastructure by the counties was derailing the process.
Trans-Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba accused the media of depicting devolution as a failure by only highlighting infightings over funds and ignoring the many gains and success stories.
However, Cohesion and integration commission chairman Francis Ole Kaparo defended the media saying the infightings among the governors and County assembly members (MCAs) was becoming a sad affair and told the governors to change for the better if they wanted the media to portray their positive image.
Kaparo said research by the commission revealed a 54% cohesive index among Kenyans, an indication that there was still animosity among communities and advised politicians against incitement especially during political campaigns.
