APRA 2025 Wraps with Focus on PR Bill, Digital Super Highway, and Reforms
Speaking at the 36th Annual Africa Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference closing ceremony in Mombasa, Mr. Stephen Isaboke reaffirmed government support for the Public Relations and Communication Management Bill, currently before the National Assembly.
“This important legislation is a timely intervention that seeks to safeguard and elevate the standards of PR practice in our country by providing a robust legal and institutional framework for the profession,” he said.
Alongside this legislative effort, the government is rapidly rolling out the Digital Super Highway, a flagship project under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Designed to transform Kenya’s digital infrastructure, the initiative focuses on improving connectivity across public institutions to streamline access to information, foster innovation, and enhance public service delivery.
Complementing this digital expansion are comprehensive reforms within government communication structures. The ministry is also implementing a staff transition plan aimed at promoting qualified public communication officers into senior leadership roles.
“This is not only a recognition of their contribution but a strategic move to ensure that our communication systems evolve in step with the modern digital landscape,” Isaboke added.
These announcements were made during the closing of the APRA 2025 Conference, which brought together over 700 communication professionals from 24 African nations. Held under the theme
“Transforming Africa through Safe and Responsible Digital Communication: Celebrating 50 Years of APRA,” the event commemorated APRA’s five-decade legacy while exploring the future of ethical communication in an increasingly digital world.
Notable attendees included APRA President Arik Karani, APRA Vice President Michele Mekeme, Media Council of Kenya CEO David Omwoyo, and Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board CEO Lillian Kimetto, among others.
Key discussions at the conference revolved around artificial intelligence, misinformation, digital ethics, and the role of youth in shaping Africa’s narrative. Outstanding contributions were also recognized, with SABRE Award winners and long-serving APRA members being honored.
“As we mark the successful conclusion of the APRA 2025 Conference,” Isaboke noted, “it is evident that our hosts, the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), have set a high bar in organizing a forum that has fostered dialogue, innovation, and continental collaboration.”
The Government of Kenya applauded PRSK’s pivotal role in promoting a transparent, informed, and accountable society and reiterated its full support for advancing the standards of public relations and communication practice across Africa.