KENYA: A Jesuit Brother Appointed National Executive Secretary for Commission for Social Communications
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has appointed new National Executive Secretary for Commission for Social Communication. Brother Elias Mukua, SJ, PhD who took over the mantle in December 2017, brings in a rich knowledge and experience, which will certainly see the Commission develops to high level. He takes from Mr. David Omwoyo who left the Commission in October 2017 and is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Media Council of Kenya.
On 26th February, 2018, the Bishop Chairman of KCCB Social Communications Commissions Rt. Rev. Joseph Obanyi, welcomed him officially as the new National Executive Secretary. The Local Ordinary for Kakamega Diocese, Kenya, expressed gratitude to the Jesuits for positively responding to the plea of the Bishops to allow Brother Mukua who is also the Executive Director of Jesuit Hakimani Centre in Nairobi to serve at the General Secretariat.
While addressing more than 30 Diocesan Communication Coordinators, Print and online editors, TV/Radio Directors and Managers in Nairobi during their annual meeting which took place between 25th-28th February, 2018, Bishop Obanyi hailed Brother Mokua as an experienced professional who brings to the commission wisdom and wealth of knowledge.
Bishop Obanyi also expressed appreciation to the former NES and the Director of Waumini Communications Mr. Omwoyo for awakening the Commission by facilitating and coordinating the opening and running of 12 radio stations in various dioceses during his tenure.
“A lot happened during his tenure, he was able to facilitate many activities. The Commission for Social Communications was one of the commissions that gave the Bishops hard time but through him something begun to happen and Bishops showed interest,” Bishop Obanyi said.
Brother Mokua, SJ, holds a PhD in Media and Communication from The University of Melbourne, Australia and Masters in Social Communication from Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He is a lecturer in Media and Communication Studies at the University of Nairobi and he also teaches at Hekima University College run by the Jesuits.
Dr. Mukua has been working in the area of evidenced-based advocacy and lobbying in civic engagement in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for the past seven years. He has been a principal researcher in nationwide studies including a study on Climate Change and Food Security (2014) that was widely circulated and used by many actors in the sector. The nationwide researches are always subjected to national conferences involving MPs, Senators and civil societies. The researches have also featured in mainstream media in Kenya over the years.
Brother Mokua, contributes commentary articles in the main print media and is often invited to speak on TV specifically on governance issues. Besides, he works with youth in and out of school in promoting their creativity and innovation. Further, he has worked to promote a friendly smallholder farmer policy environment at county, national and international platforms.
Additionally, he has produced many video documentaries some of which have been broadcast in national televisions in Kenya and Tanzania. He has recently produced a 13-Episode TV series on political campaigns in Kenya, called The Rally, and another 13-Episode series called The Chase targeting students, teachers and parents to promote good governance in learning institutions.
Previously, Dr. Mokua worked at the Vatican radio as producer of development programs in Africa before moving to Northwestern Tanzania to be director of a radio station, Radio Kwizera that served thousands of refugees from Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His work included the coordination of communication programs between UNHCR and its sister agencies such as UNICEF, WFP, World Vision, Red Cross and cooperation with a number of humanitarian organizations for refugees.
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By Rose Achiego, Waumini Communications KCCB
