Activate Treasury press office to clear fog of untruths

The role of financial journalists is pivotal in bridging the gap between governments and citizens, particularly in matters of public finance and economic policy. In Kenya, the need for journalists to reclaim their space and exercise their oversight function has never been more critical.

With the opposition’s near-total capitulation, creating what some have termed a “one-party state”, the press remains one of the last bulwarks of accountability in this country. Yet, tools meant to facilitate this crucial role are underutilised, leaving citizens increasingly disconnected from the workings of their government.

Consider the symbolic yet practical press office at the National Treasury, which was launched with the promise of fostering better communication between the government and the media by then Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani. This facility, complete with workstations, was intended to empower financial journalists with direct access to credible information, and a home at Treasury. It was a bold attempt to bridge the information gap and ensure the public received balanced, accurate, and timely stories about fiscal policies, public debt, and economic strategies.

However, despite its potential, the press office has become emblematic of missed opportunities. Its lack of operationalisation under successive administrations points to a deeper problem: a government that often views the press as an adversary rather than a partner in public discourse.

Under the current leadership of John Mbadi at the Treasury, hopes for change and increased openness have been met with inaction. This is a missed opportunity not only for journalists but also for the government, which could leverage the press to communicate its policies effectively and build public trust.

In the absence of a functional press office, journalists face significant hurdles in accessing timely and accurate information. This vacuum often leads to misinformation, misrepresentation, or speculative reporting that does little to foster public understanding.

For instance, controversies surrounding public debt levels or budget allocations often spiral out of control due to conflicting data and the lack of clarity from official channels. A dedicated and accessible press office would mitigate these challenges, allowing journalists to verify facts and present well-rounded stories to the public.

A well-informed citizenry is more likely to support government policies, especially when they understand the rationale and expected outcomes. Conversely, opacity breeds suspicion and resistance, fuelling the perception of fiscal mismanagement or corruption. In an era when public confidence in government institutions is waning, proactive engagement with the press could help restore trust and promote dialogue on critical economic issues.

In the UK, the Treasury maintains open communication lines with financial reporters, recognising the symbiotic relationship between government and the press in shaping public opinion and policy acceptance.

Closer to home, Rwanda’s ministry of finance has adopted a robust media engagement strategy, including regular press briefings and open forums where journalists can seek clarity on policies. Kenya can and must learn from these models. The infrastructure exists; what remains is the political will to use it effectively.

Without a robust media presence at the Treasury, citizens are left to navigate economic policies through a fog of partial truths and misinformation. This disconnect not only undermines democracy but also erodes the accountability mechanisms that keep government spending and policymaking in check.

For financial journalists, reclaiming their space is about more than physical access to a press office — it is about reasserting their role as custodians of public interest. It is about ensuring that government decisions are scrutinised, contextualised, and communicated effectively to the people they affect. The Treasury press office, with all its potential, should be the starting point for this reclamation.

By reclaiming their rightful place at the Treasury, financial journalists can help demystify economic policies, foster transparency, and rebuild the bridges between government and the people. Something must give — and soon.

— The writer is People Daily’s Business Editor