President Kenyatta with Capital FM breakfast show host Renee Ngamau at State House, Nairobi. Photo/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 31 – President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday unveiled a new website that allows members of the public to communicate directly to him.
Incorporated in the website is a platform for the public to report corruption incidents within State agencies.
State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu in a statement to newsrooms said “the launch of the new-look website provides us with an opportunity to leverage ICT tools in restoring Integrity, Accountability and Transparency.”
The corruption reporting link is part of the new Presidential website – www.president.go.ke – that now replaces the previous State House website. The anti-corruption link is http://president.go.ke/en/category/corruption.php
Those reporting corruption can also make use of the Short Message Service (SMS) to report graft through the SMS code 33000.
“The President is committed to clean government and this site advances his intention to act strongly against corruption,” he added.
The site that was launched on accepts reports via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and those reporting on matters pertaining to corruption can upload video, audio or relevant documents.
To encourage citizens to report corruption, the form allows anonymous uploads.
In another radical departure, anyone can now book an appointment with an office or person working in State House.
The institution of the President will use @StateHouseKenya as its official Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) will be the main account for government news while @ukenyatta remains the president’s personal account. The Spokesperson’s account is @MEsipisu.
The launch also marked the official entry of the First Lady into social media. Her official accounts are Office of the First Lady Kenya on Facebook and @OFL_KE on Twitter.
“The elaborately designed website has employed several styles and aesthetic values to ensure its informative value is captivating and engaging,” the statement read.
PSCU Digital will soon unveil a draft social media policy for the public service aimed at standardizing communications across Internet platforms.
“The idea is to create Internet and social media institutions across Government. We will create institutional brands as opposed to personal channels, so that Presidents and officials who come years after our departure will not be required to create new channels,” Dennis Itumbi, The Director Digital, New Media and Diaspora noted.
He added, “this is the beginning of drastic changes aimed at transforming designs, function and enhancing access to information through government websites.”
“The digital team will relentlessly modernize State House and transform Government services through innovation and New Media,” Itumbi said.
The website designed by the PSCU Digital and Branding Directorates is a product of various ideas – original and also improved versions of existing designs.
President Kenyatta two weeks ago during the Women and Youth Expo promised to launch a site where Kenyans can report corruption while launching the 30pc procurement opportunities in Government.
“Very soon I will launch a website where you can report corruption directly to me, I will start that website very soon,” pledged Kenyatta.
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