KAKAMEGA – The revamping of the Government Press, aimed at establishing it as a strategic commercial State Corporation, is underway as per the task force instituted under the Office of the President. The initiative includes transforming the press into the official government printer and publisher, as well as an advisor on printing and publishing matters.
According to Kenya News Agency, a technical committee member of the task force, Dr. Eric Aligula, during a public participation forum highlighted that the government seeks to modernize the Government Press into a profit-making entity. The revamped press is anticipated to diversify its services, which will include gazette, digital, security, and commercial printing services. Emphasizing efficiency and high-quality service delivery, the Government Press aims to shift from a consumer of resources to a generator, targeting a share of the printing and publishing market valued at an estimated Sh.518 billion, growing annually at a rate of 6 to 10 percent.
Stakeholders in the forum supported the initiative but also advocated for the decentralization of services and a stronger legal framework to safeguard integrity among the staff. The proposed changes would require government entities to plan their printing and publishing activities to support Medium, Small, and Micro-Enterprises (MSMEs) by 40 percent. Moreover, the establishment of a comprehensive library for government publications and a national printing and publishing museum is planned. The government is also considering a joint venture with a global security printing firm to reduce the reliance on foreign printing services, particularly for secure documents. The comprehensive restructuring, which includes setting up a board and streamlining management processes, is expected to involve an estimated cost of Sh18 billion.