The Ladder of Abstraction is a theory that was created and presented by linguist S.I. Hayakawa in his 1939 book “ Language in Action.” It basically describes the way that humans think and communicate in various degrees of abstraction.Professionals are called upon from time to time to make presentations to Audiences that may lack their technical expertise to persuade them on a particular course of action. Understanding the concept of the Ladder of Abstraction is critical to making great presentations that ultimately connect with these audiences.A ladder presents the perfect imagery for this concept. Like the ladder rests on solid ground, the bottom of the ladder of abstraction represents concrete things or ideas. The Middle of the ladder represents things or an idea that not entirely concrete, and yet not completely abstract, while the top of the ladder represents abstract ideas or concepts.It is of the essence that public speakers avoid what in speech-making we call “dead level abstraction” which is speaking at one level of abstraction and not oscillating between the different levels. Good Speakers realize that Audiences need both concrete details and abstract ideas in order to make a strong persuasive argument. Major Speeches like Martin Luther King’s “ I have a Dream”, then Senator Barack Obama’s speech on race, and Steve Jobs launch of the Iphone were able to move up and down the ladder making the audience more receptive of their message.Nancy Duarte an authority in the Structure of great presentations has done groundbreaking work in articulating the structure of some of history’s greatest speeches and her narrative alludes to the speakers avoiding “dead level abstracting” and greatly connecting with their audiences.Conducting a comprehensive Audience Analysis as a part of speech preparation helps speakers to determine how to create a perfect rhythm, that balances between various levels on the ladder of abstraction and know from which point on the ladder to begin and end their presentations.You can find more information on the Ladder of Abstraction using the following linksAndrew Dlugan, “The Ladder of Abstraction and the Public Speaker.” September 15th 2013 Available on http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/ladder-abstraction/#more-8707Nancy Duarte, “The Secret Structure of great talks.” November 2011, Available on http://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_duarte_the_secret_structure_of_great_talksHayakawa S.I. and Alan R. Hayakawa, Language in Thought and Action (Plymouth; Mcneil, 1991), 85-95
A mile above sea level, the thin Mombasa air refreshed delegates representing the governments of Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda as they congregated to hammer out a plan to launch the Northern Corridor Transit System. The year was 1981 and the first inter-state meeting in August resolved to adopt a study report sponsored by the European Economic Community (EEC) to establish the Northern Corridor Transit System in the East African Region. The same report also contained 23 recommendations to ease the flow of transit traffic in the northern corridor.The Northern Corridor Transit System was to include road, railway an oil pipeline as well as water transport system between these states and would ease the transportation of goods and people from Mombasa to Bujumbura through Kampala, Kigali and continue on to Beni through Bukavu, Goma in the then Zaire now the Democratic Republic of Congo. In November 1985 another meeting was held in Nairobi in which the state parties agreed to establish the Transit Transport Co-ordination Authority (TTCA) and form a permanent secretariat to assist the TTCA in ensuring an effective implementation of the NCTA, with a permanent secretariat finally being established in Mombasa in October 1988. During the meeting in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1989 the member states agreed to meet in Mombasa in 1990 to discuss recommendations for removing the non-physical barriers to traffic flow.Fast forward to June 2013 in Entebbe, Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) met to discuss how to co-operate and speed up development in the region and of great concern was the period it took to transport cargo from the Mombasa Port due to various bottlenecks along the way. The Presidents agreed that this transit period needed to be reduced and the infrastructure along the corridor needed to be improved to ease this period and the construction of a new Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a common crude oil pipeline and the reduction in the cost of doing business in the region had to be brought down.The result of this meeting was the renaming of The Tripartite Infrastructure Initiative to the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP) with South Sudan incorporated as a member and the decision to simplify immigration laws in the region and enhance cooperation on tourism, trade and services with each country establishing a special office to coordinate the NCIP with the Presidents committing to meet every two months as a follow up.The history of the project puts into context the role Communication has played and will continue to play in ensuring its success. When the Project was first conceptualized in the Eighties, it was the era of centralized Communications, a period where sending a fax to newsrooms disseminating information regarding the State Parties meeting and getting it broadcast on the sole state broadcasters or the tightly state regulated newspapers was adequate information, but in 2013 the communication scenario was different; the modern media cacophony heralded great promise but also posed some challenges. To put it in greater context the rise of citizen journalists and Social media platforms presented a great opportunity for communicating diverse aspects of the NCIP while the challenge of various communication mediums was that of message contextualization in view of the diverse audiences who needed to know about the projects.Communication Critics of the earlier era when the project began in the Eighties, have pointed out that the centralised and tightly controlled government communication of that era may have resulted in fewer East African Citizens becoming aware of the projects and hence the resultant limited buy-in and ownership of it; but the same critics are pointing out the fact that regardless of the opportunity presented by the rise of various communication mediums in 2016, similar limitations of effective communication about the project may hinder its successful implementation. The communication efforts for the Northern Corridor need to be more robust and strategic in the following ways:First we must raise the general awareness of the project and the opportunities available for diverse stakeholders. A quick survey will reveal that despite a lot happening in the various project implementation phases, the general awareness of its scope by citizens in East and Central Africa is very limited. A robust Integrated Communication Strategy, that is multi-disciplinary and capable of being deployed on multiple fronts to push key messages regarding the Northern Corridor process, is necessary. The strategy must be geared towards enhancing awareness among Citizens , Investors  and the Business Community among others. Secondly it should be geared towards inviting interested stakeholders to be a part of the project and to “own” it, and finally it must ensure timely information dissemination that keeps the stakeholders aware of every step of its implementation.The Northern Corridor Project also requires Credible Message Surrogates. A keen observation on the interplay of the Northern Corridor’s current communication Strategy, messaging and Audiences, reveals that the major communication efforts have continued to be anchored around the regional Heads of State and becomes more pronounced during their review meetings. The current strategy has neglected a key approach of strategic communications, which is about drawing from the different institutional resources within the region to create a team of credible message surrogates to push the communication agenda of Northern Corridor Project. The Message Surrogates need to be profiled against the targeted audiences and the persons with utmost credibility deployed bearing key messages on the Northern Corridor project.Finally Good Messaging is of the essence. A Clear messaging gap has been evident. The Northern Corridor message should be simple, concise and easy to understand among the various targeted audiences. A simple survey currently reveals that not many “targeted” stakeholders are aware of various aspects of the project. Perhaps a more decentralized message generation structure that considers the diversity of the countries involved in the Northern Corridor Project needs to be implemented.
We are in the age of Communication and those who communicated effectively greatly increased their influence while those who failed ended up losing credibility and goodwill. This year’s list was compiled with the help of persons outside the formal practice of Communication who utilised Social Media and popular online survey platforms to submit their nominations. The list is diverse and uses specific examples and tangible takeaways; hopefully readers will use it as a teaching moment and pick lessons for their own use.Great Communicators analyse and understand their audience then craft and creatively deliver pertinent messages, which connect with the Audience. Most of the times they receive positive feedback expressed through the audience engaging in a desired course of action and even when an audience disagrees, great communicators will have gained enough goodwill for the audience holding opposing views to give consideration to their propositions. In 2015, the following persons epitomized the attributes of Credibility, Authenticity, Great Delivery, Deep Knowledge, Likeability, Humility and Passionate Delivery that makes for great communicators.Best Communicators1.Foreign Secretary Amina Mohammed- Firm Versatile DiplomacyKenya’s Top Diplomat tops the list this year, and rightly so. She has been the epitome of consistency and versatility when addressing diverse audiences and above all manages to always be On-message.Madam Amina displayed that rare ability of being able to communicate a strong point of view even to opposing audiences without condescending or becoming a polarizing figure. Her ability to internalize key messages and move beyond written talking points to extemporaneously deliver articulately, no doubt makes her a great communicator. She was clearly a lady in Charge and effectively deployed her communication abilities to back her up.2.President Barack Obama- Inspirational, Aspirational ConversationWhen Air Force One landed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and President Obama jogged down the long stairway, much scrutiny would be on his Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication during his tour. The First African American President who traced his roots from Kenya was in a sense “coming home.” His tour was carefully themed as “a focus to the future as opposed to the past” and by the time he stood up to speak to the Kenyan People on his final day at the Safaricom Indoor Arena with a youthful audience in attendance this theme became more evident.Great speeches usually have a common characteristic; the moment they are delivered may be fleeting, but they have a transcendent quality about them and become a part of conversations in years to come. This was one such speech; particularly because in addition to the historic nature of the speaker, the themes of a shared Hope and National Unity, which transcend the current myopic obsession with tribal identity, will have an enduring resonance in Kenya’s future and will continue to be central in our quest to build a more perfect Nation.In its final iteration President Obama’s speech to the Kenyan people wove together the threads of his father’s roots, his own journey, American and Kenyan values, aspirations of the Kenyan people and his desire to use his words to shape the perception of Kenya’s present reality into a new reality based on his sentiments that all Kenyan’s shared a common destiny. The speech was a masterful fusion of substance and great delivery connecting with the Kenyan people and he was able to speak hard truths without appearing patronizing to his host the Kenyan President and the Kenyan public. (A comprehensive Analysis is available and will be made public on my blog www.paulachar.wordpress.com)3.Pope Francis- Humble, Firm Compassionate DeliveryWhen the plane christened “Shepherd One” landed in Nairobi, Kenyan’s were formally introduced to Pope Francis’s Considerate Communication Style. He displayed great humility, exhibited good knowledge of the country and its challenges. (A clear indicator that he had read and internalized his briefs). His tour was designed to fit with his overall agenda of accessibility to the least among us and it was no surprise that he declined any lavish state dinner, avoided a huge motorcade and even carried his own bag.This was all communicating who he is and what he believes in. When he stood to deliver his sermon or speak to the youth, his considerate conversational style and manner combined with a bold message on social justice appealing to the better side of Kenyans was proof that you don’t have to raise your voice to communicate and connect. His emphasis on humility, concern for the poor and interfaith dialogue was well communicated in the stagecraft and message of his tour.4.President John Magufuli- Authentic and PassionateWhen the Tanzanian Governing Party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) nominated Dr. John Magufuli as its Presidential Candidate it came as a surprise to many. How would a party insider distinguish himself from the incumbent and authentically position himself as a change agent? When he eventually hit the campaign, his stump speech was a masterful fusion of a change message, hopeful future and a promise to break from the past. His authentic passionate delivery backed up with a narrative of his hardworking scandal free public service track record greatly enhanced his credibility.His Direct Communication Style, message and passionate delivery made him appear like an insurgent leading an uprising from within the CCM and his slogan “Hapa Kazi Tu” (All about Working) elevated him to the Presidency. His actions and communication since the start of his Presidency have been consistent with his Anti-Corruption and “Hapa Kazi Tu” slogan. His first address to parliament will go down in history as a great speech. It was Direct, Authentic and Passionate while clearly articulating the scope of his Administration’s Agenda and we also learnt that he is good with the Teleprompter. His influence on the African continent is certain to grow in coming years.5. Ms. Amina Hashi- Young, Knowledgeable and Confident CommunicatorIf you have never heard of this young Land Law Expert, well, make sure to look out for her in the coming year. She is clearly a great legal mind who combined good communication abilities with deep knowledge on land issues to curve a niche and despite of her relative youth has achieved quite a lot. Amina easily uses her Systematic Communication Style to speak with authority, while deploying an expressive voice that makes you want to listen. Her ability to synthesize and simplify complex legal land issues and communicate the same to audiences, which may lack a legal background, is the stuff good communicators are made of.6.Dr. David Ndii- Transforming Complex to SimpleGreat Communicators possess is the ability to transform complex concepts or subjects into simple to understand messages. This Rhodes scholar and Eisenhower fellow who holds a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Oxford has managed to break free from the “experts curse.” (This is when experts deploy technical esoteric language, which a majority fail to understand).His opinions may be controversial as evidenced by the animated debates, his talks or writings evoke, but even his critics admit that he has effectively been able to break down economics into a simpler to understand subject for the mainstream. Combine the fact that he is a passionate speaker, who uses techniques like stories and imagery to pass across his message and you can bet audiences keen to listen to his presentations will certainly grow in 2016.7 Inspector General Joseph Boinett – Articulate, Systematic Steady under PressureProfessional and Credible Communication is of the essence when it comes to a Country’s Security Communication. Historically the appointees to the Chief of Police position in Kenya have been poor Communicators with few exceptions like the Former Police Commissioner Gen. Ali. The nomination and eventual confirmation of Inspector General Joseph Boinnet introduced Kenyans to an IG who was articulate and for the first time in the country’s history clearly articulated his agenda for the service as that of Building a People Centered Police Service during his parliamentary vetting process.Since assuming office his confidence in his communication ability has steadily grown as evidenced by his Town Hall meetings across the country and in subsequent media appearances.The Country has faced various security challenges and it has shown that speaking on behalf of the Police Service requires a high degree of Confidence, Steadfastness under pressure, Knowledge and the ability especially in the midst of a crisis to balance between bravado and reality, something the IG has managed. His Systematic Communication Style evidenced in his measured delivery proves that you don’t have to be the loudest to be effective. Hopefully in 2016, the Inspector General will deploy his communication abilities to speak with Kenyan’s more regularly even when there is no crisis.8 Charles Kanjama -A Compelling ,Versatile and Engaging SpeakerIt is not everyday you come across a lawyer who can quote Shakespeare, St. Augustine of Hippo and Pope Francis in one sentence while analyzing and trying to give sense to current affairs. Charles a lawyer, writer and Speaker is a spirited communicator who uses Stories, Analogies, References, Humor and Synthetic Parallelism to make his analysis or speeches come alive. His ability to analyze and synthesize diverse subjects into coherent narratives deployed in a steady expressive voice makes him a great communicator.9 Ms. Anzetse Were- Great Delivery (Mastery of Content and Language)Anzetse is a Development Economist and also the author of “Drivers of Violence: Male Disempowerment in the African Context”. She has been able to masterfully combine her work in gender programming and her economic consulting with a great ability to communicate.Her ability to mainstream her economic analysis to diverse audiences and to articulately frame her positions while deploying supporting evidence made her one of the most recognisable economists on current affairs programmes. In her economic analyses and dispositions, she came across as personable and objective, using each speaking opportunity or media appearance as a moment to instigate debate.On matters of gender programming and rights advocacy, her Direct Communication Style can be termed as Hard-hitting yet bearing compassion and is non-condescending. Anzetse is an articulate analyst who has certainly helped to bring back proper diction on Television debates.10. Police Spokesman Charles Owino- Steady, Calm CopThe Kenya Police Spokesperson's office in recent years had lost its credibility with its majority Audience; the Kenyan people. A Police Spokesperson’s role is to articulate to the public matters security and it requires the holder to exhibit a high level of knowledge on technical security matters, possess great communication skills ultimately enhancing their credibility and generating goodwill for the National Police Service. The recently appointed Spokesperson Charles Owino was articulate and proved himself a master of plain talk which audience’s liked about him.He proved to be a master of the Visual, Vocal and Verbal aspects of delivery. His understanding of the visual aspects of communication and mastery of the stagecraft of presentation saw him deploy good posture, a compelling demeanor, good dressing, the ability to command attention, great eye contact and utilized appropriate authoritative and confident gestures. Winning over the public is still a major task for the Kenya Police, and for the Police Spokesman who derives most of his influence right now because of his position, we would hope that in the coming year he effectively moves from “Position Power” to “Persuasion Power” in his communication with the public.Worst Communicators1.Heshan De Silva- Poster Child for inconsistent Narratives and loss of CredibilityHeshan burst onto the public scene billed as a venture capitalist and young billionaire who had overcome drugs and depression while on his journey to success. It was a good story delivered masterfully and combined with powerful motivational anecdotes, he was soon all over our television screens and eventually joined the lucrative paid speaking circuit commanding six figure-sums per speech.The curtains fell on this act when a single email from the PR Company managing him dissociating themselves from him and openly questioning the credibility of his narratives was sent to newsrooms.This email eventually led to a greater scrutiny of his story and the glaring gaps in the “success narrative” continued to grow. Some commentators claimed that he had lied and demanded proof of his multi-million-business empire but his responses only raised more questions than answers.Instead of deploying his speaking skills to respond, he simply posted a vague response on Social Media, closed all his Social Media accounts and pulled a Houdini. Well, as the year draws to a close, the possibility of multiple lawsuits by some of his past paid speaking clients is becoming common talk. The entire Heshan De Silva experience affirms the old adage that no matter how gifted you can communicate, without character and integrity it is all a house of cards and eventually when it crumbles the loss of credibility is something difficult to recover from.2. Hon Moses Kuria- Arrogant and grossly Inappropriate CommunicationThe Gatundu Member of Parliament epitomizes the fact that irresponsible, inappropriate communication coming from an elected leader can destroy a reputation. As he continued to fight charges of hate speech, he also embarked on a media appearance circuit in which his hubris, unrepentant, bloviating and arrogant disposition crowned him the villain among elected Kenyan politicians. To cap it all, it couldn’t get worse than when Hon. Kuria walked out of a live TV interview protesting some tough questioning.3. George Aladwa- Confrontational, Hostile CommunicationThe Former Mayor of Nairobi may not hold any elected office these days, but his influence as a leader demands that his communication is beyond reproach. His confrontational hostile words uttered at a public rally have ensured that he is also fighting charges of hate speech.Responsible Communication by political leaders demands that they must continually conduct a wide audience analysis which not only focuses on the situational context but also the entire national context in order to frame a message which will not be deemed inappropriate when viewed from the wider context regardless of the cheers it may elicit within the immediate context. His continued pompous style has ensured he advances into 2016 with huge legal fees.4. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich- Uncertain, Negative Non Verbal CommunicationTreasury Secretary Henry Rotich’s uncertain, wavering communication style failed to inspire confidence this year. While The National Treasury faced numerous questions, which required robust, credible responses from its Chief Executive, his public speaking performance was largely unsatisfactory. He may have deployed colorful graphs and Charts (Visual Aids) but he failed to elevate the level of his rhetoric by moving beyond the prepared talking points and expressing seamless extemporaneous deliveries.The Cabinet Secretary has a natural likeable demeanour but when under pressure he revealed negative Non-Verbal cues from closed and defensive hand gestures, limited eye contact and the all to common nervous body shifts, which were clear negative behavioural giveaways. In the coming year, the Cabinet Secretary must invest more time in preparing for any speaking engagements, his Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication must also be in congruence especially if he wants his audience to trust that he has nothing to hide.5. Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU)- Un-strategic Disjointed CommunicationStrategic Communication within the context of governance can be defined as infusing communication efforts with a clear Policy agenda and master plan or the deliberate orchestrated use of channels of communication to move and influence policy or promote an administration’s agenda.So why did the Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) engage in Un-strategic seemingly disjointed communication? Some of the reasons can be found on this article using this link www. https://paulachar.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/two-years-on-why-has-jubilee-struggled-in-strategic-communication/.The PSCU may have got some things right, but their public messaging strategy required more refining and simplicity. At times the Bullet Point, Colourful graphics themed messages were above two levels of abstraction and in some instances extended to three. The cardinal rule of Mass Public Communication is that you cannot go beyond one level of abstraction in your messaging. To break it down further, the majority of the public needs to understand the message without thinking too hard. Anything beyond one level of abstraction is geared towards a minority who possess technical competencies in that particular subject. To succeed in 2016 the PSCU must move beyond controlling the 24Hrs news cycle to a more strategic approach that anchors its efforts on the bigger picture but maintains simplicity in messaging.6. The Elite Kenyan Athlete-Poor Pre and Post Race InterviewsPic. Courtesy of www.mylesedwards.wordpress.comThe race is coming down to the wire, and up ahead the ultimate price looms. With history beckoning another Kenyan athlete gradually pulls ahead and crosses the finish line securing yet another win for Kenya. Then comes the moment many are awaiting; a chance to speak to the world and frame their victory in a manner only champions can do. The interviewer asks questions and the Kenyan athlete struggles to frame a coherent, articulate response.This scenario was replicated numerous times in 2015 when Kenyan athletes won races worldwide.The inability to effectively communicate has locked many Kenyan athletes from the numerous opportunities that athletic stardom accords others especially their competitors from the Western hemisphere. Some of these opportunities come in the form of corporate endorsements, paid sponsorships to serve as spokespersons for various global causes and of course highly paid speaking engagements. Considering Kenyan athletes will continue to dominate the tracks in 2016, this current state of affairs needs to change; it’s of the essence that the athletes improve on their communication skills.
As 2019 ends and the world welcomes a new decade, the role of effective communication cannot be understated. In the next decade, effective communication will be the fuel that powers individuals and organisations to the next level.This year our Best and Worst Communicators list not only focuses on individuals but also incorporates communication moments for organisations.In compiling the list, we limited the inclusion of politicians who have hogged previous years. There is a big wide world outside of politics and it also revolves around communication. The list is bound to generate debate, but readers should use it as a learning opportunity and deploy the lessons therein.Best Communicators1. Prof. Kalamagamba Kabudi- Masterful, Powerful DeliveryFew Kenyans had ever heard of Tanzania’s Foreign Minister Prof. Kalamagamba Kabudi until he delivered the keynote address during the launch of the Building Bridges Initiative Report at the Bomas of Kenya. When he began his address, his powerful booming voice immediately captured the attention of the audience and in his introduction; he masterfully merged Swahili and English languages while using the rhetorical devices of rhyme and repetition to capture his audience.It was clear he understood his audience well, and the content of his message resonated deeply with them. He may have sounded professorial at certain points and he could have done well to shorten his twenty-four-minute speech but it had been long since a politician delivered such a captivating address within the Kenyan context.The Takeaway is that good communicators, will conduct audience analysis prior to their presentation and customize their address to connect with the audience. They also work on their voice which is the primary tool of delivery and it certainly improves the impact of a speech when a presenter deploys rhetorical devices. Prof. Kalamagamba Kabudi’s use of imagery, analogy, amplification, story-telling and parallelism showed that even in political set-ups a good communicator is still appreciated, but also served to challenge Kenyan leaders to step up their speech making abilities in the next decade.2.Peter Tabichi- Authentic and UnpremeditatedWhen the world’s best teacher appeared on the scene, his even temperament and new fortunes clearly seemed to intersect. In media interviews, he had the talent to make straight, seemingly unpremeditated answers that portrayed him as authentic, empathetic with an open and natural manner of speaking. He came across as someone who genuinely cares for his students and is intent on making the world a better place and was unmoved by celebrity.Whether it was during the ceremony in which he received the award as the world’s best teacher, and called his father from the audience to join him on the stage while wholeheartedly expressing his appreciation for the contribution he had made in his life or meeting President Donald Trump at the Whitehouse, to saying the opening prayer in the United States Congress, his enormous self-confidence masterfully combined with self-awareness was apparent. His announcement that he would donate his $1Million Dollar award to his students reinforced his authentic message; that he cared less for material things and that teaching was his true calling which offered him a chance to contribute in making the world a better place. The takeaway is that good Communicators are authentic, a quality the audience can detect especially when the verbal and non-verbal cues are in congruence.3. Jerotich Seii- Enter the Era of Smart ActivismThe Social Activism scene in Kenya has undergone a metamorphosis during the years leading to different players emerging to lead or ride the activism waves.  In 2019, the proliferation of various mediums to communicate heralded both a promise and a challenge to the activist. The promise was that their message or campaign could be passed through many channels especially to the younger generation using the social media platforms while the challenge lay in contextualization of their content and selection of the appropriate mediums to disseminate the same without losing the core message.Ms. Seii managed to seize the promise and navigate the challenge effectively and came out as a brilliant communicator able to straddle both the traditional and new communication mediums. She also achieved the rare feat of bridging her activism from the “street” to the courtroom and in media interviews she was eloquent, firm yet respectful and kept on message with a strong focus on her audience.She was proof that the next decade calls for versatile activists possessing enhanced communication capabilities and who will manage to adapt their techniques and customize their messages to appeal to various audiences in order to achieve the change they seek.4. Justice Mumbi Ngugi- Standing out in the JudiciaryIn a year when the judiciary came under greater scrutiny from the public based on various rulings from the bench; this High Court Judge had a break out moment with her ruling that public officials facing corruption charges must not be allowed to access their offices. The ruling, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal, further cemented her reputation as one of the leading legal minds in the country.Her naturally deep, authoritative voice, her ability to not only speak the language of the law but also deliver to an audience lacking in legal technical competencies were a perfect blend in enhancing her communication credibility. Her ability to share her own personal story and experiences growing up with albinism in a society that had not fully embraced persons like her and merge the same with technical content certainly puts her in the league of great communicators. We are not sure if judges are allowed to deliver TED Talks, but we predict that she may be the first Kenyan judge to do so in this new decade.5. DPP Noordin Haji- Sincerity, Courage and Humble ConfidenceThe Nation’s top prosecutor amplified the war on corruption and led the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions from a department largely unknown by many Kenyans to one that earned the respect of many citizens in 2019.  When he appeared for parliamentary vetting in 2018, he was clear that the war against corruption was going to be a centerpiece of his tenure as the Director of Public Prosecutions and he kept his promise.When announcing his decisions to charge, he displayed great courage and a keen scrutiny of the statements accompanying these decisions, revealed a Prosecutor interpreting the concept of public interest and the evidential threshold on particular cases while explaining them through the arch of history and their significance to the future generations.While delivering his statements, he came across as a Direct Communicator, who was straightforward, detailed in the specifics of the law and humble enough to acknowledge the efforts of other players within the criminal justice system as crucial to their overall success. He also managed to maintain an even tone of voice even when talking on highly charged emotional matters.He could do well to use a lectern with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Seal in future whenever he makes announcements on his decisions to charge as opposed to sitting down as this will help to amplify his authority.6. Bob Collymore- Authentic, Emotional Memorable last momentsIn October, the Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore departed this world but not his memory nor his impact. His final months during which he kept strong even under great pain, continued to show up and steer the most profitable company in the region cemented a legacy that will be long remembered.In a cultural context where public figures rarely open up about their health challenges, he was very candid about his battle with cancer and courageously and authentically talked about his struggles. Eloquent, thoughtful and sometimes in a halting manner, he explained his battles but always managed to paint a hopeful picture. He epitomized courage, and used his own health challenge to bring into greater prominence the fight against cancer.In what would be his last media appearance, in an emotional but without maudlin interview he spoke hope, displayed great knowledge of the healthcare sector and what ailed it while proposing some solutions, and managed to infuse humor while at it.His funeral service revealed a man who was so organized and had set his affairs in place even deciding how his memorial service would be conducted. Even in his departure it was clear he was a systematic communicator, organized to the core and his final media interview will remain a classic communication masterpiece of candor, courage and authenticity that moved him from the hallowed pedestal of a celebrated CEO to just another human being going through life’s struggles and emotionally connected him to the audience.Lynn Mengich- Authoritative, Thoughtful and Measured CommunicatorThe Salaries and Remuneration Commission Chairperson had the tough job of telling parliament No! to their ever-increasing appetite for more allowances. Despite provocation and clear attempts to intimidate her, the SRC chairperson remained focused, well prepared with facts to defend the SRC’s position and always measured in her comments to avoid picking unnecessary fights.She also understood the psychology of color in communication and seemed to wear colors and accessories that complemented her message and enhanced her authority.The takeaway is that the ability to deploy steady and calm communication is a valued attribute in leadership.Yvonne Okwara- Hard-hitting, Eloquent AdvocacyYvonne Okwara has evolved from reporting and anchoring to creating a segment “Yvonne’s Take”, that speaks truth to power and is delivered in an eloquent, serious, straightforward manner.Her show, the News Gang, has grown a following based on its conversational format where she identifies a current issue, researches it and delivers a hard-hitting and eloquent opinion that ensures the message gets home. She has also mastered the vocal and verbal aspects of communication evidenced in her expressiveness of voice and enunciation.An attribute of good communicators possess is the ability to keep reinventing themselves and improving on their delivery. In 2019, Yvonne’s Systematic Communication style and eloquent advocacy resonated with many.Rtd. Col. Cyrus Oguna- Calm under PressureGetting the unenviable job of Government Spokesperson in an administration serving its second and final term inevitably meant that the spokesperson will be playing defense most of the time while concurrently striving to explain government policy and wadding off critic’s keen to position themselves in the next administration.Rtd. Col. Oguna was able to straddle the delicate balance of explaining government policy, defending the same while maintaining his credibility and not coming across as a sycophant. He spoke with a strong voice, absolute conviction, full of energetic open gestures, and excellent mastery of Swahili and English.His best moment came during the tragedies the nation had to bear especially when a car slid off the ferry into the Indian ocean with two passengers at the Likoni crossing channel in Mombasa, Col. Oguna not only gave updates of the retrieval efforts but also took on the role of a comforter to the nation effortlessly. His empathy, compassion, and determination came across in his verbal and non-verbal communication.Even when under intense questioning by journalists, he kept calm and never lost his cool even once. Perhaps his background as a spokesperson from the frontlines of war helped, but he certainly earned his communication stripes in 2019. It’s likely that in 2020 the nation will hear a lot from him as he leads the strategic communication efforts of an administration entering its final years.Edward Mungai- The Inspiring and Motivational CEOEdward is a gifted storyteller who uses his personal journey of transformation to inspire positive change in others. The Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Climate Innovation Centre is an avid runner who participated in the Tokyo and Boston marathons and got to be in the world marathon major six star list making it to be the sixth Kenyan to get on the list.His story of transformation from an out of shape, unhappy corporate executive, who took up running to keep fit and eventually managed to join the ranks of the top forty under forty, while starting a leading green venture capital organization that eventually manages millions of dollars, to becoming a leading African authority and speaker on green technology is the stuff of legend.Add the fact that he managed to merge all these aspects of his life and transform his story into a compelling narrative and training model, focusing on inspiring professionals to become healthier, wealthier and more spiritual, then you get the reason why he is increasingly becoming a top pick to speak to corporate teams around the world.Credibility is key in the world of inspirational and motivational speaking and he has certainly used his personal story to earn credibility and increase his influence.Worst Communicators/ Communication MomentsJudicial Service Commission- Secretive Interviews for JudgesThe post 2010 constitutional order places a high premium on public participation especially in high level public service appointments. The media has played a crucial role in broadcasting such interviews for the public and the Judicial Service Commission’s interview process for judges was one such forum of great public interest.The order by the Chief Justice to lock out the media in the whole process was a major strategic mistake and the excuse proffered that the JSC’s boardroom was not large enough to accommodate media crews was not convincing.Kenyans have a major stake and interest in the judiciary and it seems the institution charged with interpreting the law, failed to interpret the meaning of public participation in the current social context. The communication coming from the JSC could be interpreted to mean that an opaque process was their intention and it did them no favours in enhancing the credibility of an institution that has struggled to gain and maintain public goodwill.Pastor James Ng’ang’a- Arrogant and Controversial loss of Moral AuthorityNeno Evangelism’s Pastor Ng’ang’a’s public meltdown seemed to have started in 2015 when he was allegedly involved in a road accident where a woman lost her life. In the subsequent judicial trial, narratives of attempted cover-ups, driving under the influence of alcohol, and witness intimidation made news.Religious leaders derive their moral authority from the content of their character and their words plus behavior is expected to be beyond reproach. In various instances, he ranted and raved devoid of logic at his perceived enemies. His arrogant, mean, vicious and insulting messages, coupled with media reports of his legal troubles, punctured his credibility, moral authority and exemplified the very antithesis of what religious leaders should be.Hon. Anab Subow Gure – Nasty and Vulgar CommunicationThe first-time legislator and Garissa Women Representative in a moment of rookie excitement at a political rally decided to go further than all other speakers in their attack on the Former Prime Minister.In a snarly tone she made vulgar reference to the private parts of a man senior enough to be her father and openly wished him death; it clearly represented the lowest point of expressing political differences.There is a certain meanness creeping into our politics largely exhibited by the newbies, serving their first term. A major segment of the older generation even when they differed politically would be measured in their comments. This meanness exhibited by Hon. Anab Gure bespoke of an emptiness of political purpose, and set the country on a dangerous path of balkanization and should not be encouraged in 2020. It is also a lesson to leaders that one should never run their mouth until their mind’s gear is engaged.Macdonald Mariga- Not ready for the gameMacdonald Mariga the retired world-class footballer made his political debut in 2019 seeking to replace the late Ken Okoth in Kibra Constituency. Perhaps the public unfairly judged Mariga’s communication abilities by comparing them to the former Member of Parliament who had set the bar quite high.His first days on the stump revealed an aloof, incoherent, and almost reluctant candidate who became the punchline of many jokes. Politics is a contact sport and emotionally connecting with your electorate is key to winning.  In order to have been an effective Communicator as he ran his campaign, Mariga needed to transform into a versatile story teller, deploy a good grasp of local issues, be passionate and transform his campaign speech into a compelling narrative. He failed in this and also failed in his political debut.Huduma Number Implementors- Disjointed Confusing CommunicationThe Huduma Number project communication mix deservedly joins the worst communicators list. The basic attempt at persuading citizens to enroll was laced with initial pleas, subsequent threats and a complete lack of clarity on its ultimate intention.The Government seemed unable to create a coherent message to sell the benefits of the Huduma number while differentiating it from the other myriad identification numbers Kenyans possess from birth to death.The incompetence in the whole Huduma Number process was glaring and as the new year rolls by, citizens still don’t know what the Huduma number stands for, what it will achieve or even if they have been allocated individual Huduma numbers.Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU)- A House Divided Doesn’t inspire ConfidenceThe Presidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU) is charged with crafting a communication strategy that should offer Kenyans a chance to interrogate, understand and participate in Government Policy.In recent times, the PSCU seems to have limited its communication to focus on the Executive Office of the Presidency which comprises of His Excellency the President and his Deputy. However, at times, it seemed as though the PSCU read from different scripts when communicating about the President and his Deputy, which to a keen observer gave the impression of division.Strategic Communication within the context of governance means anchoring communication efforts with a clear Policy agenda and master plan, and using appropriate channels of communication, to introduce, interrogate and influence Policy while promoting the Administration’s agenda.On this score the PSCU failed as it became a unit that merely pushed information and reported the itinerary of the Presidency while failing to guide the wider governmental strategic communication efforts.Inspekta Mwala real name Davis Mwabili- Defensive and lacking in empathy“Am sorry for what hapened and pole to the familly, if am a killer then i,my poit is… lets b constractive guys some of our pple are dying of hunger and hamjaichangamkia hivi,,,waaah lets sitdown n think,”(sic)   This was the message sent out in the form of a tweet by Inspekta Mwala in an attempt to apologize to the family of the man who lost his life when the actor’s vehicle hit him in a road accident.Accidents and mistakes do and will happen. When they do and we need to apologize, we must be empathetic, acknowledge the facts, avoid getting defensive, and make it about the victims and not ourselves. The backlash Inspekta Mwala received from the public after posting this tweet led him to delete it and hopefully he learnt his lesson.The Kenyan Athlete- Inability to effectively ace the post-race interviewThe elite Kenyan athlete makes an appearance again among the worst communicators. In a year that saw Kenyan athletes dominate many races around the world, their glaring inability to effectively navigate the post-race interview was apparent for the world to see.The ability to effectively communicate for athletes leads to numerous opportunities which come in the form of corporate endorsements, paid sponsorships to serve as spokespersons for various global causes and also the highly paid speaking circuit.In the new decade it is important for training programs focused on mastering interview skills, dealing with nervousness, mastering basic post-race talking points and enunciation to be designed and developed for the Kenyan athletes.Wafula Chebukati- Low Connection, limited LikeabilityThe Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson failed to inspire greater confidence or enhance his credibility with the public. Having been in the public arena for some time now, it would be expected that he would have mastered the basics of communication and evolved into an inspiring ambassador for the organization he leads in order to enhance its credibility with the public.Whenever he stood to speak, he was halting, lacking in passion, at times looking uncertain, and spoke in a monotone. His body language did not convey confidence and add his serious demeanor it all pointed to poor communication skills and the IEBC Chairperson missed the opportunity to increase his influence and enhance goodwill for the organization he leads. One way to enhance a speaker’s likeability with audiences is smiling something the IEBC chairperson could learn to do in 2020.Chief Justice David Maraga- Disastrous Press ConferenceWhenever the Chief Justice calls a press conference, everyone stops to pay attention.  So, when he called a press conference, it seemed odd that he was alone and not flanked by other members of the judiciary as is the norm. The interpretation was that he alone was responsible for his speech and he would bear full responsibility for his presentation.The Chief Justice knows how to communicate confidence and authority and this was in full display from his swagger and his upright positioning behind the lectern. He had a stern look and when he began his speech, it was clear the gloves were off and the Executive arm of government was the target.  Upon completion of his statement, he opened it up to the question and answer session and it is clear that he was ill prepared and failed to realize that any misspeaking at this point could rob him of the impact he desired from his speech.He would swallow the bait from a reporter and go on to complain about the lack of a luxury vehicle befitting his status while seeming to cast blame on the Executive arm of the government for this state of affairs. This brief segment ended up controlling the news cycle and the entire message of his media briefing was lost.The lesson learnt is that leaders must always prepare for the question and answer session, but more importantly the role of a communication or Public Relations director in helping leaders navigate the press conference cannot be understated.Source: https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Best-and-worst-communicators-in-Kenya/1056-5407310-jerlakz/index.html
Empowering Women's Agency in Diplomacy and Professional SettingsAsserting personal agency in diplomatic and professional arenas remains a challenge for many women, even those in high-ranking diplomatic roles. This issue was a key focus at the Women in Diplomacy Conference held on February 20th at the University of Nairobi’s Chandaria Auditorium.The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs' Foreign Service Academy, in collaboration with Jade Communications Centre for Applied Human Communication and the University of Nairobi’s Department of Diplomacy and International Studies. It brought together professionals to discuss the evolving role of women in diplomacy and the importance of soft skills in navigating global politics.Addressing the Unspoken QuestionsDr. Josephine Ojiambo, Kenya’s former Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, as well as former Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, highlighted a recurring issue: women diplomats often approach her privately after trainings with personal and practical concerns.“I have another question: apart from economic diplomacy, how can I build trust when deployed? Gain credibility? What do I do with my spouse and children? How can I continue as a woman professional after this course?”These questions point to a deeper need—support beyond technical training, particularly in soft skills and personal development, which are critical to long-term success in diplomatic careers.The PAPE InitiativeTo address this gap, Dr. Ojiambo is leading the Personal Agency in Professional Environments (PAPE) Series in partnership with Jade Communications. The initiative focuses on strengthening individual capacity, communication, and leadership by building on personal strengths, practical skills, and peer support.Plans are underway to tailor the program to the needs of different diplomatic cadres, with support from the University of Nairobi and the Foreign Service Academy.Dr. Ojiambo explained that PAPE aims to create a space where women can share experiences, read the room, set clear professional goals, and cultivate influence and credibility in their work environments. The initiative also intends to foster a supportive community that encourages resourcefulness and resilience.Institutional Support and CommitmentAmbassador Paul Ndung’u, Acting Director-General of the Foreign Service Academy, reaffirmed the Academy's commitment to supporting female diplomats. He emphasised that women are equally effective in diplomacy and bring unique strengths in areas like negotiation, networking, and bridge-building.Ambassador Prof. Maria Nzomo, Professor Emeritus of International Relations and former Director of the Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies at UoN, stressed the importance of recognising and utilising personal agency. She noted two key challenges: some individuals are unaware of their agency, while others face structural or contextual barriers that limit its use.She called for more research into best practices for empowering women diplomats across Africa and advocated for collective efforts to dismantle systemic obstacles.Looking AheadThe next steps following the conference include stakeholder dialogues between the Foreign Service Academy, the University of Nairobi, and donor agencies to explore collaboration opportunities in supporting the PAPE program.The collective message was clear: empowering women in diplomacy is not just about skills—it’s about fostering an environment where women can recognise, embrace, and fully exercise their agency.“We all have to find space to embrace each other and find the solutions together.”
In compiling our annual Best and Worst Communicators list we partnered with the Nation Media Group to invite nominations from the public of which we received close to Three Hundred nominations using various online survey platforms. From the analysis, it is clear the overarching theme for Kenyan Audiences in 2016 was on a Communicator’s Credibility. How an individual frames their Initial Credibility, gains their Derived Credibility and earns Terminal Credibility with Audiences is key to determining a good or bad communicator.We also deduced that an individual’s hierarchy/Position in society may accord them a bigger Megaphone, but it does not guarantee an automatic elevation into a good or effective communicator who connects with Audiences. (We share in our annex a brief Media analysis report to illustrate this aspect).Applied and Academic Communication Practitioners compiled the 2016 list, led by Paul Achar a Speech Coach & Communication practitioner, Kentice Tikolo, CEO of Impact Africa, Dr. Sam Kamau, a tenured Lecturer at Aga Khan University, Wangui Kiili a communication coach and the CEO of Lead, Speak Reach and Mukurima Muriuki an Analyst and Conflict and Diversity expert based in Los Angeles and the Online Research team from Nation Media Group. Judging from the past, the list is bound to generate heated debate, but hopefully based on the examples and tangible communication takeaways, readers should use it as a learning opportunity and select some lessons for their own use.Best CommunicatorsFred Matiangi- Authoritative CommunicationFrom a Communication Style perspective, the Education Cabinet secretary is a Direct Communicator. It means he deploys a bold, assertive no holds barred approach to communication. His appointment to the Education portfolio and the eventual emphasis on a hands on, high-energy approach reinvigorated the Education Sector and it is no wonder he was mentioned in various forums as among the top public servants in 2016. Communicating with diverse stakeholders, the Cabinet Secretary impressed many with his articulate, knowledgeable presentations on matters education. A key attribute great communicators possess is “Passion” and the CS was certainly not lacking in this. He is also big in deploying imagery a technique of language that helps to enhance the understanding of a message.His Assertive and Authoritative communication style helped to inspire confidence in a sector, which has been plagued by corruption and low morale. It helped elevate him into a credible leader and he was clearly the fresh breath of air the Kenyan Education sector needed.Raphael Obonyo- Inspirational Authentic StorytellerThere are people whose life story leaves you inspired and aspiring to become a better person, Raphael Obonyo is one such individual. He is an Authentic Storyteller, who is able to masterfully weave Youth Policy ideas with his own life story that began in the informal settlements of Korogocho in Nairobi. He has authored “Conversations About the Youth in Kenya” also serves as Africa’s representative to the World Bank’s Global Coordination Board on Youth and Anti-Corruption, the UNHabitat’s Youth Advisory Board among others. He comes across as Authentic an attribute key to building Audience Connection and in a country plagued by many “Successful Motivational/Inspirational “speakers whose narratives don’t add up Raphael stands head over shoulders over so many others in spite of his relative youth.He is also a good storyteller. The reason humans love stories is that Stories are as old as our existence and were originally created as a means for communicating with each other, when reading and writing were not available. Therefore, storytelling is hardwired into all of us, since this is how we see, interpret and explain the world. Well, told stories have the effect of transforming presentations from merely a recital of facts or statistics into compelling narratives that have the special effect of capturing the attention of audiences. Stories are the bridges that help us to humanize narratives and great communicators deploy a myriad of techniques to tell interesting stories and connect with their audiences. The young storyteller from Korogocho, who nowadays strides the world stage speaking on Youth Policy Issues is a compelling speaker who deserves to be among the Best Communicators of 2016.Daisy Amdany- Passionate, Purposeful CommunicationIf you are looking for somebody to passionately and eloquently advocate for an issue that affects women in society with conviction, then Daisy Amdany is your person. As the co-convener of the National Women Steering Committee, a consortium of women’s advocacy groups, she has been at the forefront of the push for the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule guaranteeing the place of women in political leadership. Despite the numerous challenges that womenfolk face in their quest for public leadership and relevance in society, Daisy remains a voice of hope. You don’t need to have met or listened to Daisy previously for her passion on women issues to warm your heart.Regardless of the platform or occasion – a TV interview, roundtable discussion, podium presentation or a face-to face conversation, three things always stand out – her eloquence, passion for her cause and commanding presence. As a gender advocate, she champions the (political) rights of women in a society that is essentially paternalistic. Despite the open resistance and sometimes-hostile political chatter, Daisy wins her audiences hearts and minds with sincere enthusiasm, force of reasoning and a compelling message. Gifted with a uniquely expressive voice, she passionately defends women’s rights without alienating her male audience. She has managed to escape the trap of elitist use of language that holds many in her sector captive by deploying the first level of language to simplify complicated topics and does not resort to jargon. She demonstrates the uncanny ability to elevate gender issues even when the discussion is not necessarily focused on gender.Masters in the Art of Persuasion know how to appeal to Ethos (Credibility of the Persuader) Pathos (Emotions) and Logos (Logic), since human beings typically make their decisions based on emotions and then look for facts to support or justify it, Daisy enhances her credibility through her words, appeals to her audiences emotions and then supports her arguments with facts and analysis without missing a beat.Patrick Njoroge- Humble Authentic ConfidenceThe Central Bank of Kenya Governor Dr. Patrick Njoroge is a Systematic Communicator. Systematic Communicators can appear introverted but are generally good with tasks that require a mastery of facts and statistics. He speaks in measured tones, expresses deep knowledge and exudes confidence and humility. In a context where public officials are obsessed with title and the trappings that come with them, Dr. Njoroge’s outlook and approach, which communicated freedom from the trappings of title greatly impressed and appealed to Kenyans.To quote him, “It’s not my faith, my life is my marathon. I don’t distinguish my faith from my profession, from my relations with others, it’s one package, it’s a seamless package.” It is unique to hear a Kenyan leader express the guiding philosophy towards public service so candidly. By openly communicating his beliefs and values, he was ultimately viewed as an as an Authentic, Humble and Confident leader, A good fit at a time when the banking sector has been fraught with many challenges, Dr. Njoroge has inspired many and proved that humility is indeed a great strength.Phyllis Wakiaga- Knowledgeable and Credible CommunicationThe Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers comes across as a Spirited Communicator. Her friendly demeanor, mastery of issues relating to the manufacturing sector and an articulate presentation style makes her one of the Best Communicators on the scene in 2016. Major topics of her presentations in 2016 revolved around “multiple taxation by Kenya Revenue Authority on Manufacturers”, “The Trade Bill”, “Regional Integration” and “The Mining Forum”, subjects she knowledgeably addressed.Good Communicators are able to enhance their credibility either by invoking Knowledge, Experience or Associations and Phyllis gets it. Whether on the television set for an interview or standing in front of diverse audiences, she knows what aspects to deploy ultimately gaining greater credibility and connection. Our research also focused on Media appearances/mentions, revealed she may not have made to many appearances (245 in total) but she reinforced our belief that it is not the number of times one features on Media rather it is the quality of their presentations when accorded a platform which will ultimately matters.Sunny Bindra- Ethical Leadership ChampionPerhaps the reason why Sunny resonates with many as an excellent communicator is because he lends a firm voice to a diversity of issues that touch on people’s lives; from basic manners, leadership, social ethics, conversational norms and many others; pretty much subjects that a majority of people resonate with. He has a strong voice on social media and additionally, the self-confessed introvert is a very able voice in person. His crisp delivery of information in a neutral tone of voice and facial expressions works to command the attention of his audience. He is a Considerate Communicator but possessing the Direct Communicators ‘tell it like it is’ attribute when he speaks and writes.Sunny brings on the refreshing insight of an introvert’s mind and when he shares orally or through the written word, one can see the simplicity with which he presents complex insights. His work on online coaching is a testament to this as his “Bigger Deal” series demonstrates; it features video nuggets Five slides with Sunny & Three minute Insight as well back seat interviews with different personalities. In exploring new mediums to pass his ideas, he has demonstrated his versatility as a communicator.Sunny’s Influence evidenced by a large following on Social Media and wide readership of his articles attests to the fact that he plays a role as a mirror through which Kenya reflects on itself. In 2016, his commitment to ethical governance and leadership was effectively communicated through multiple platforms.6. Jacquline Kitulu – Confident, KnowledgeableThe Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Association is gifted with a “good broadcast voice,” eloquence, a great command of language and a genial personality, Dr. kitulu’s intelligence, Credibility and Professionalism are aspects you cannot miss when she stands behind a lectern. She radiates confidence, passion and demonstrates wide knowledge on Healthcare and Social Policy issues and her mastery of the Vocal, Visual and Verbal aspects of communication enhance her competency.A Considerate Communicator, who speaks in a soft, assertive style, she is comfortable in different contexts and has learned how to leverage her strengths to connect with her Audience.Wesley Korir- Authentic CommunicationCherangany is home to arguably some of the great orators in Kenya. Remember one-time M.P Kipruto Arap Kirwa? Well, the current M.P. has not only presented himself as a great orator, but as outstanding long-distance runner, as well. Wesley Korir’s name is best remembered for winning the 2012 Boston Marathon, a race Kenya has dominated for eons.In 2016, Wesley was part of Kenya’s marathon team at the Rio Olympic games. A mix-up of his water would cause him stomach upsets, forcing him to exit the race on the 30-kilometer mark. The water mix-up was one of the many hiccups Wesley, as well as his colleagues representing Kenya at the Olympics had to endure-missing kits, disorganization, name it!Hon. Korir, would become the face of frustration the Kenyan Rio team went through. He became a source of information on what was going on in Rio, via his social media platform and in subsequent television interviews. A major strength is that he comes across as an Authentic Communicator. Authentic Communication is about being honest and open about one’s feelings, needs, and ideas without a façade or front. He was effective in challenging the half-truths the Team managers were propagating and in so doing became a voice of reason and common sense.Houghton Irungu- Differences Don’t mean DisrespectThe passionate articulation with which Houghton presents the causes he advocates earned him a place as a top communicator. Advocacy and extensive experience in the development world lent him credibility plus his mastery of content was a factor that rated high in the nominations.He was involved in various high profile civil protests including the widely publicized protest against the grabbing of Langata Road Primary School playground in Nairobi, which translated into a media circuit where he was paired with persons holding opposing views at times.Listening to him in discussions with panelists opposing his perspectives, it was clear that Irungu uses his words with intention, as should any good speaker and that it was possible to disagree without being disrespectful. He also came across as driven by certain values and ideals, which he eloquently espoused during interviews; in the world of activism, when audiences sense that the Activist/Speaker is benevolent and not a self-seeker, they become more receptive to their message.His arrest during the Langata Road Primary school saga and the sobriety in subsequent interviews worked to position him as a calm and articulate speaker even in the face of opposition. His likeable, easy manner and mastery of storytelling peppered with quirky humor, resonated with Audiences.CS Siciliy Kariuki- Reflective ListenerThe renowned theologian John Powell postulated that in authentic listening, we reach beyond the words and see through them to find the person who is being revealed.Sicily Kariuki replaced Ann Waiguru as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs docket, a docket that had been mired in controversy, summed up in the NYS Scandal, where billions of shillings are reported to have been embezzled.The Devolution Ministry has borne the image of everything wrong, corrupt, and unethical. Sicily Kariuk has, however, tactfully brought sanity back to the ministry. Her use of reflective communication skills is remarkable and compelling. Reflective listening involves restating the feeling that the other party has communicated in a way that demonstrates understanding and acceptance. Evidently, Sicily has not taken a defensive route, a near-admission that things in the ministry are not all right, but can be better. This means she is listening to the public mood and what the public is communicating is for her to get things right, and she gets it.Sicily has also shown a down to earth demeanor and is effective with her nonverbal communication which most of the time does the talking for her.Worst CommunicatorsIEBC Selection Panel- Closed Interview ProcessIn a year where various selection panels were involved in open processes streamed on live television interviewing various candidates for high level public appointments, the IEBC selection Panel’s decision to conduct most of the new commissioners recruitment interviews away from the glare of cameras, effectively limiting public participation in a process as important to a nation moving into an electoral year was a huge oversight.Effective communicators possess the ability to analyze the societal context in which they are operating and then use the analysis as the basis to guide their strategic communication. The IEBC Selection Panel clearly misread the social context or completely disregarded it with disastrous consequences already being felt. They were conducting interviews in a context in which the outgoing IEBC has been plagued by Credibility concerns among various segments of Kenyans and in order to ensure that the incoming team gained the initial goodwill and credibility required, they needed to exhibit transparency by encouraging public participation through live television broadcasting of the interviews ultimately ensuring that public confidence in the eventual nominees was high that the best candidates had been nominated.Adan Duale -Divisive RhetoricMajority leader Aden Duale leads a fractured parliament, whose divisions further widened in 2016. Within the period between1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016; 3065 stories that tagged or involved the actions of Aden Duale (majority Leader in the National Assembly), were published by various mainstream media and were captured in the online space. The content of these stories had a potential reach of 518,283,508 people globally.The stories around Hon. Aden Duale that were majorly publicized revolved around “Amendment of Electoral Laws”, “IEBC”, “Jubilee Party”, “Hon Duale’s responses to the opposition” and the “Garissa University Attack”. Among the top 10 publications that disseminated news involving Hon Duale throughout the year 2016 were The Star, Standard Digital News – Kenya, Citizen TV, Daily Nation, Hivisasa.com, Mediamax Network, Kenya Today, EABizInfo.Com, AllAfrica.com and News 24 Kenya.Within the same period, 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016; 32820 posts were made on various Social Media platforms. 10273 posts out of the 32820 posts (33.34%) received a negative sentiment score, and terms like arrogant, divisive, insensitive were bandied around. He only had 16.65% positive and the remaining 50.01% having neutral sentiment score. The impact of a Majority Leader transcends Social Media punditry and can be seen through the results of their actions. The question is does a Majority leader have a role to play in bringing about National cohesiveness in a divided nation whose history of past divisions has led to dire consequences? We believe that they do.Adan Duale is a Direct Communicator whose strengths lie in the fact that he will speak what is in his mind, but a major weakness is at times he fails to assess the impact of his words. His aggressive communication style may have worked to get him elected but upon assuming the elevated National platform of a Majority he has failed to use his Megaphone to promote greater National cohesiveness.Josephine Kabura -Deceitful Inconsistent NarrativeJosephine Kabura only 34 years, is the most famous hairdresser in Kenya. But she is no ‘mere hairdresser’. She dominated newspaper and Television headlines in 2016 as the central suspect in the much publicized NYS scandal. Her story- ‘From hairdresser to a millionaire’ would have been an inspiration for many young women, were it not for the dodgy manner in which the wealth was acquired. She was catapulted into the public limelight after she swore an explosive overly dramatized affidavit that implicated former Devolution CS, Ann Waiguru in the NYS corruption scandal.When she appeared before a parliamentary watchdog committee to provide insight on her role in the scandal, she engaged in tactful evasiveness deploying a wry smile, give-away body language and feigned ignorance, poor memory and inability to recall details she had provided earlier in her affidavit. A common trait among deceitful communicators is their tendency at evasion, obfuscation and plain distortion of narratives. During her questioning deployed soft hesitant speech, deliberate pauses, blank stares, evasive responses and a sarcastic gleeful smile (Non verbal experts would call it the unflattering O.J Simpson smirk), seemingly oblivious of the grave accusations facing her. In the end, her measured responses did not shed light on the 1.6 billion worth of questionable business dealings involving her companies, nor did it enhance her credibility.The young hairdresser successfully stonewalled MPs and made mockery of the whole investigation process and her unsatisfactory, inconsistent and unconvincing responses eventually drew the ire of the MPs questioning her who resorted to quoting Bible verses out of helplessness and frustration.Stephen Arap Soi- Guilty Non- Verbal CommunicationStephen Arap Soi, Kenya’s Chef De Mission at the Rio Olympics failed to provide leadership and direction for the Kenyan contingent. After the Olympics he appeared in court pending investigations into how NOCK and Sports ministry officials spent Sh25 million in Rio. His attempt to ‘clear the air’ was just, but contempt in the court of public integrity for Kenyans who expected their Olympic heroes to be treated with dignity and respect. Arap Soi eschewed a lack of credibility and his name became synonymous with failure.His body language betrayed him and showed a leader who is not telling the truth, and nothing but the truth. He was not comfortable with what he was saying straight out of the gates and this was evident through the lack of congruence between his Words and Body in various interviews.Albert Mehrabian stated in a widely quoted article that in situations he examined only 7% of the impact was verbal-the remaining 93% was nonverbal. It means body language is a very important medium of communicating. For example, body posture speaks volumes about feelings, self-image and energy level. In the case of Soi, his body posture communicated low energy, a guilty conscience and perhaps feelings of regret.Public Accounts Committee 2016- Disorganized Interviewing ProcessesThe Public Accounts Committee has been plagued by credibility challenges during the 11th Parliament. It's  role is to monitor accounts on the appropriations voted by parliament for public expenditure, or any other accounts, gather and evaluate the information and recommend courses of action to the entire house. It is in keeping with this mandate that the PAC summoned various persons to testify regarding the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal. The process aired on live TV exposed the PAC as disorganised, disjointed and lacking in basic interview techniques. The members communication at times seemed to merely seek to score political points as opposed to clearly probe and get to the bottom of the NYS scam.Successful panels design an interviewing strategy prior to commencement of any process; the strategy should offer guidance on the questions, the mode of questioning and clarity on questions assigned to each member. It is clear that the PAC never followed such basics and ultimately ended up portraying the image of an incompetent oversight body.Ababu Namwamba – Incoherent Narrative (Loss of Credibility)In early 2008, Ababu Tawfiq Namwamba introduced himself to the Kenyan scene with his oratory prowess, admirable stubbornness and youthful arrogance, when he refused to acknowledge Mwai Kibaki as the president after the 2007 disputed elections. He would go on to dazzle in debates inside and outside parliament with his gift of garb and mastery of language. The cameras loved him and he became a frequent figure on our Television screens. Within his party he positioned himself as the defender of the party leader and was fondly referred to as “Generali.”When faced with controversy that led to loss of his chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee he seemed to lose his communication mojo. He struggled to develop a coherent, logical narrative to explain his dilemma and when he also broke ties with his political party, he has struggled with a message to credibly position himself in his next political dispensation.In his strategic communication struggles a key aspect, which suffered, is his Credibility and while he may just reinvent himself and regain his communication groove, a key lesson is that even in the murky realm of Politics, audiences still expect Coherent, Credible Communication.Eric Kiraithe- Government of Kenya SpokespersonEric Kiraithe’s tenure as government spokesman has been lacklustre. A government spokesperson’s role involves guiding the design and development of a comprehensive Government Communication Strategy and overseeing the tactical implementation of that strategy. A Spokesperson must be articulate, be versatile in handling diverse communication situations and earn respect as a credible authority on government messaging.Against this backdrop, Eric, who is eloquent, has had challenges in transforming himself into a Credible Authority whose word is respected as the government’s official position on various issues. His messaging has majorly come across as defensive most of the times rather than proactive and guided by a well-thought-out strategy. The Government Spokesman also failed to clearly distinguish his office and official role with that of thePresidential Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU)Regarding his Style of delivery, in his press conferences he has failed to adopt an extemporaneous style and tends to read reports rather than speak directly to his audience. This does not inspire confidence and combine this to the reactionary messaging, it is clear that the government spokesman needs to re-invent himself in 2017 in order to enhance the connection between the government and its citizens.Philip Kinisu- Diversionary- In- ChiefIn August 2016, Philip Kinisu, the EACC chairman tendered his resignation to President Uhuru Kenyatta. Kinisu was under investigations because a firm he is associated with supplied goods to NYS, which was embroiled in a scam of its own-call it conflict of interest.Integrity, explained, includes the ability to communicate even those bit and pieces that may be uncomfortable in the short term, but are actually redeeming in the long run. Kinisu failed to let the integrity which got him the EACC top job in the first place, walk the talk.When questions were raised regarding his actions, he failed the first test in crisis communication; he blamed everybody else, but himself-best summed up as diversion tactics. People resort to diversion when they are uncomfortable with emotions stimulated by the conversation. His eventual resignation from office was a culmination of diminished integrity, lack of good judgment in combination with poor communication.CS Wario- Defensive CommunicationIf there was one distinct aspect about Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario’s communication; it was his defensive outlook. When news emerged that the Olympic team representing Kenya in Rio had faced challenges that brought national shame, the CS was more interested in defending rather than empathizing with the team that represented the nation’s brand at the Olympics.His appearances in parliament and in news conferences after the Rio fiasco fueled his audience’s anger, as he seemed more interested in protecting himself than being contrite. Why did this earn him a worst communicator spot? Because when caught in a crisis in which many people are affected a leaders greatest tool is empathy. Empathy combined with accountability can help mediate between all parties involved.CS Wario did not seem to get it! At the briefing he called to dismiss the National Olympic Committee Kenya (NOCK), he stopped a few second into his reading to take a long sip of water and then stumbled through the first sentences of his statement. The non-verbal cues on that clip revealed his seeming glee at getting back at NOCK. All the while he failed to understand that the failure of NOCK was an embarrassment to Kenya, hurtful to the athletes and the buck stopped with him.CS Wario would do well to conduct audience analysis, understand their mood and strive frame his communication in manner that connects with them. He could also work on his listening and message construction skills in the 2017.Ezekiel Mutua- Braggadocios CommunicationThe Head of the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) failed to understand that a key attribute that great communicators posses regardless of their achievements is Humility. Mutua’s communication lacked the discretion and general sensibilities required of his position. Using his Social Media platforms where he bragged about various things from his diplomatic passport to his Business Class Air travels, actions many would have expected a younger generation to engage in.His attempt to frame his braggadocios communication as “god’s blessings” aimed to inspire others coming from a social background of extreme depravation like himself failed miserably if social media and mainstream media conversations are anything to go by.In 2017, Mutua could benefit by expressing more humility in his communication. Another attribute key to connecting with audiences is “Likeability” an aspect his bragging robbed him off. To successfully steer the KFCB and gain the goodwill needed to effectively persuade Kenyans to embrace it’s “controversial” Policy’s, Dr. Mutua must avoid becoming a distraction by shifting the spotlight from himself to the agenda of the Organization he leads.
Today’s world faces a myriad of challenges. In the diplomatic field, the global landscape is complex. There is continuous effort to find sustainable solutions. In the mix are women diplomats emerging as formidable agents of positive change.Just what is their impact? Is it tangible? How can it be quantified?Join The Republic of Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, the United Nations, Jade Communications Centre for Applied Human Communications and the University of Nairobi’s Department of Diplomacy and International Studies for a discussion to assess the contributions of women diplomats towards creating solutions for the international community.The conference is at the University of Nairobi’s Chandaria Auditorium on Tuesday, 20th February 2024, from 1 pm to 6 pm.
Jade Communication’s Centre For Applied Human Communications has partnered with US-based PAPE to offer a unique programme to empower women professionals in Africa. The Personal Agency in Professional Environment (PAPE) Series is designed to equip women with diverse capabilities to build their professional effectiveness through skills development, practice, and support from a generative community. It is structured as a three-month series of ten weekly virtual sessions via Zoom, during which two executive coaches meet with a cohort of six to ten participants.The PAPE Series combines skill-building lectures with facilitated discussions and recommended homework. In addition, participants can access curated resources, videos, white papers and studies, and one-on-one coaching calls if desired.First CohortThe first Kenya cohort, comprising ten women professional leaders from diverse fields, completed the programme from October to December 2023 and culminated in a completion celebration on 20 January 2024. Jade’s CEO, Paul Achar, said that the PAPE Series is a unique concept that provides a safe space for professional women leaders that enhances their personal growth while creating communities for a more significant impact. “ The reality is that PAPE provides an opportunity for leading African professional women from diverse fields, whose paths might have never crossed, to come together and form an empowered support community that will impact them and other women and create a ripple effect in society.” PAPE founders Juliet Erickson, an executive coach, high stakes communication specialist, and author, and Maeve Richard, a diversity, equity, and Inclusion expert and an organisational effectiveness coach, developed and serve as programme facilitators. Ms Erickson said they designed the programme to create a space where women could flourish, transform and benefit from a stronger sense of self, clarity of purpose, and confidence.Lauding the success of the first Cohort, Ms Richard said: “We hope that this first Kenyan PAPE community continues to grow, thrive, and serve one another individually and collectively. After all, where two or three gather together, so much good can result!” She urged the participants to continue investing in themselves and prioritise their commitment to the community that has formed. She encouraged them to support, be supported by, care about, and be cared for, challenge, and be challenged to achieve what matters: taking better care, advancing career goals, balancing what’s important, and succeeding in crafting an ideal life.Skills building Some of the skills-building content includes a listener-centred approach to planning for high-stakes engagement, communication, presentations, negotiations, and conversations. Also, PAPE provides ways to “read” and respond to others and effectively understand your and their emotional and communication styles.Individuals are also taught techniques to enhance leadership effectiveness and “presence” when leading an effort, running a meeting, or giving and receiving feedback. Also addressed is how to handle confrontation to achieve better outcomes, reduce friction, and overcome resistance.Inner resilience development During the sessions, participants discuss their strengths, awareness of their sensitivity, and what they experience in the professional environments where they want to excel. Participants explore their internal capacities to remain calm and confident, and to engage in credible, competent, and composed ways.The primary goals are to recognise what is in their best interests and to develop inner resilience. The focus on building up inner resourcefulness and resilience is to produce more constructive, positive, and purposeful responses.Participants form dyads. The dyad conversations and the sessions enable the participants to build a community of mutual encouragement, insight, and lasting support.Participants share strategies to leverage mentors, sponsors, allies, and cheerleaders. There is exposure to practices such as affirmations, self-compassion, calming techniques, and grounding techniques. The programme culminates with an opportunity to step into the Spotlight to work on a live issue and receive ideas, feedback, and support from the Cohort. Real transformation Indeed, based on the testimonials around the table, PAPE Cohort One participants are already experiencing transformation in their personal and professional lives. Media, communication, and International PR expert Patience Nyange said she has become a more confident leader and learned to own her voice.“Leadership is a tough journey, especially for women, and there is a constant need for women to be taken through training, coaching, and mentorship because the journey becomes easy when women are granted an opportunity to share. Listening to everyone share during the sessions was very helpful, she said.Ambassador Dr Josephine Ojiambo describes the programme as a dynamic experience that builds a sense of community within the Cohort, helping them clarify their purpose and sharpen their decision-making.“The course content is relevant, transcending generations, and provides feedback and experiential training. It delves beyond regular definitions of self-esteem, leadership, and other terms to engage the psyche and person of each trainee.” To her, each session transforms the individual from indecisive to forward-looking and resilient, from unable or reluctant to negotiate to an excellent presenter who can “read the room.”More importantly, the training strengthens each woman’s ability by carefully identifying how to act in her b areas of doubt, conflict, and inertia.Second PAPE cohort registrationUrging professional women leaders to enrol in the life-changing programme, Patience is hopeful that the PAPE Series will help women advance their leadership and enhance their professional effectiveness and impact. Dr Ojiambo highly recommends the PAPE experience to women seeking to expand their agency at the early, mid, senior, C-suite, and beyond stages of their careers. It is a “must do” and a “must have” for every employer and employee, woman mentor and mentee, young girl, middle-aged and senior woman, she said.