INTRODUCTION: Whereas the Ministry of Information and Communications was constituted in June 2004, it is composed of one of the oldest Departments in the history of Kenya’s Civil Service. The Information and Broadcasting Sub-Sector started in the 1920s when the colonial government decided to create Kenya Information Services. The Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) joined the sub-sector much later to provide the much needed human resources in the mass media. After a series of changes in structure and mission at independence in 1963, the information service was a subordinate department of the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs and Administration. In June 1963, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism was created. Its mandate included Broadcasting and Television Policy, Broadcasting Advisory Board, Film Licensing and Censorship, Government Film Projects, Information Services, Kenya News Agency (KNA) and Press Office, Kenya Government Public Relations, Liaison with Tourism Associations, Promotion of Tourism and Voice of Kenya (VOK) Administration and Control.

In 1965, the Tourism portfolio was transferred from the Ministry and it was renamed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Following the government reorganisation of 2000, the Ministry was merged with the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In June 2001 the Information and Broadcasting sector re-united with the Department of Tourism to form the Ministry of Tourism and Information .In June 2004 it was merged with the Communications Section in Ministry of Transport and Communications to form a new Ministry of Information and Communications. The Communications sub-sector includes Telecommunications, Postal Services, Broadcasting and Information Technology Services.

MANDATE: The mandate of the Ministry is as derived from Presidential Circular No. 1/2007 of January 2007 which includes Information Policy, Communication Policy, Film Development Policy, Dissemination of Public Information, Development of National Communications Capacity, Development of the Film Industry, Public Relation Services, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Kenya Film Censorship Board, Kenya Film Commission, Communications Commission of Kenya, Postal Corporation of Kenya, , National Communications Secretariat, Communications Appeal Tribunal, , Telkom Kenya Limited, Kenya College of Communications Technology and Gilgil Telecommunications Industries.    

VISION: Kenya becomes a world class centre of excellence in ICT.

 MISSION: To facilitate ICT development in Kenya

CORE FUNCTIONS: The functions of the Ministry are to: Formulate ICT Policy; Implement ICT policies; Facilitate Development of ICT in Kenya; Regulate consumption of films in Kenya;  Facilitate a conducive work environment, health and safety; Encourage the development of ICT capacity in the country; Formulate and implement film policy; Develop capacity in mass media; Enhance Public Access to Information; Disseminate public information; Promote Film production in the country; Inform, educate and entertain Kenyans; Promote a positive image of the Government and License local and international film-makers

POLICY PRIORITIES: In fulfilling its core functions, and in light of the prevailing environment, the Ministry has adopted the following main policy priorities: Implement the service charter of the Ministry; Capacity building in ICT sector; facilitate the development of ICT infrastructure; Modernization of equipment ;Facilitate development of Information and Knowledge based society; Facilitate the continuous review of schemes of service domiciled in the Ministry; Promote Public Private Partnership in ICT development ;Continuous review of the legal framework; Promote Regional and International Corporation in ICT issues; Creation of employment through outsourcing of ICT services; Periodically review and update National ICT Policy to facilitate development of the ICT sector and Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS, health and safety activities in the core functions of the Ministry

CORE VALUES: The core values are: Integrity; Customer Orientation & Service Excellence; Creativity and Innovativeness; Efficiency and Effectiveness; Professionalism; Teamwork and Ownership; Courage, Dedication and Patriotism; Social Responsibility and Uphold Human Rights