The communications department of the Archdiocese of Nairobi was established in June 2012, with the appointment of a Communications Coordinator. Previously, communication was handled by various departments as need arose. Consequently, communication was done by numerous departments, and individuals at Parish, Deanery, Department or Archdiocesan levels.
With the establishment of fully fledged Communications Department, the communications needs of the Archdiocese are now organized, and centralized.
Anyone with an email address, a social media account or a phone can communicate. However, to ensure that communication is done in a manner that is doctrinal, and with pastoral relevance in mind, a fully-fledged department of communication comes in handy.
Through this department, Archbishop Philip Anyolo, the Auxiliary Bishop, Rt. Rev. David Kamau, heads of departments and deans are able to send communication within the Archdiocese and beyond seamlessly.
The channel of communication, facilitated by the department, has made irrelevant other voices that may purport to speak for the Local Ordinary or on behalf of the Archdiocese.
The department handles these main areas.
Chronicling the events of the diocese
The staff of the communications department attend all diocesan event, and any other event that is of relevance to the Archdiocese. These events include, the Archdiocesan Family Day, Ordinations, Ecclesial groups archdiocesan events, devotional groups diocesan events, and departmental events that are of archdiocesan relevance. While there, they take photos, videos and text records of the events.
These contents are for publications in various pastoral documents and chronicled with the collaboration of the Archives department.
Publishing
The office publishes:
Building rapport with the other church media in Kenya, AMECEA and SECAM
Through consultative forums, the archdiocesan Communications Department shares knowledge with other media personnel working in other dioceses in Kenyan, AMECEA and SECAM. The department also sends photos and stories to regional publications.
Building rapport with the secular media in Kenya
With the department managed by people who are trained in media, the department endeavors to build rapport with the secular media. This is so that the secular media gets to know of the events happening in the Archdiocese that are of interest to the general public. The relationship is also meant to enable the secular media report accurately and with pastoral understanding of the working, liturgy and ranks of the Catholic Church.
Collaboration with the other Departments
Through communication, the department promotes collaboration with other departments and vice versa.