The government is advancing plans to transform the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) into the Kenya School of Communication.
The move is aimed at expanding KIMC's mandate and positioning the institution to meet the changing demands of the media and creative industries.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo said the government was advancing the Kenya School of Communication Bill, 2025, which seeks to elevate the institution from a technical and vocational training institution into a national centre of excellence in communication.
Kabogo, whose speech was read by Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Temesi Mukani during KIMC's graduation ceremony, said the proposed changes would expand the institution's academic and professional training mandate.
"This transition is far more than a rebranding exercise; it is a fundamental necessity aimed at future-proofing our communication sector," Kabogo said.
Under the expanded mandate, the proposed school would be empowered to award postgraduate diplomas and specialised certifications while offering continuous professional development programmes for industry leaders, senior public sector managers and communication practitioners.
Kabogo said the transformation was necessary to respond to increasingly sophisticated information needs and technological changes shaping the 21st-century media environment.
He said the media landscape was being reshaped by artificial intelligence and digital platforms, requiring practitioners to continuously learn, adapt and uphold professional standards.
"Technology can enhance communication, but it cannot replace human responsibility, ethical discernment and professional ability," he said.
The CS also announced government plans to support the expansion of KIMC's Eldoret campus in Uasin Gishu County through investments in infrastructure, modern training facilities, production studios and information and communication technology equipment.
He said the campus was a strategic investment in decentralising education, widening access to quality media training and promoting the equitable distribution of learning opportunities.
"We are therefore committed to working with relevant government agencies and county leadership to mobilise resources, strengthen institutional capacity and create an enabling environment for the campus in Eldoret," Kabogo said.
He said the government envisioned the campus becoming a centre of excellence in communication and creative arts, producing skilled professionals while creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship across the Rift Valley and Western Kenya regions.
The announcement comes after KIMC Council Chairman Silas Otieno disclosed that the institution had secured the title deed for its Eldoret campus after an eight-year wait.
Otieno said the acquisition had been concluded two weeks before the Mashujaa Day celebrations held in Eldoret on October 20, 2026, removing a major obstacle to the institution's expansion plans.
He appealed to the government to provide a dedicated budget allocation for the construction of vertical infrastructure at the campus to enable it to become operational.
"The acquisition of the title deed secures the institute's land rights and provides a firm foundation for future infrastructure development, expansion and training opportunities in the North Rift and Western Kenya regions," Otieno said.
He said the council had also prioritised strategic partnerships, institutional governance and financial sustainability as part of efforts to reposition KIMC.
Among the initiatives is a memorandum of understanding with the Teachers Service Commission to strengthen teachers' practical skills and promote the integration of media and digital technologies into classroom instruction under the Competency-Based Education system.
The institute has also entered into an academic partnership with Kabare University to explore opportunities for further studies, joint research, faculty exchange and progression to degree-level qualifications, subject to academic and accreditation requirements.
Otieno said the council was also implementing a new human resource instrument introduced in July 2026 to address staff stagnation and improve employees' terms of service.
He said the institution was pursuing a transformation roadmap that would strengthen its role in government communication, research, innovation and creative entrepreneurship.
Radio Africa Group Editorial Director Paul Ilado challenged the graduating class to take an active role in reshaping the media industry, saying traditional business models had collapsed but journalism still had a future.
"All the business models that have traditionally run media have collapsed, and this is where we need you, the class of 2026. We need you to participate in creating a new order," Ilado said.
He urged graduates to use their training and creativity to develop sustainable media enterprises rather than depend entirely on conventional employment opportunities.
KIMC Director and Chief Executive Peter Wakoli said the institution had been realigning its curriculum to prepare students for the digital superhighway and creative economy.
He said the 2026 graduating class had demonstrated its capabilities through multimedia storytelling, artificial intelligence-assisted content creation and independently operated digital platforms.
ICT Authority Chief Executive Jessy Maruti also welcomed the graduates, saying their skills would contribute to strengthening national storytelling and communication.
The 498 graduands completed their studies under the theme of excellence, talent, trust and innovation.
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