FEATURED STORY

PR practitioners to be certified to weed out quacks

Incoming Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) President Dr Wilfred Marube has announced plans to introduce reforms at the body that will see quacks purporting to be proffestional public relations practitioners weeded out.

Speaking at the conclusion of the PRSK General Elections held at the Nairobi Serena Hotel on Wednesday evening, Dr Marube pledged that the incoming PRSK council will sustain efforts to rid the field of impostors that have made the discipline their haven.

Among the measures that Dr Marube stated would be put in place include include lobbying engagements for the proposed draft Institute of Public Relations and Communication Management Bill geared at facilitating the legislative formation of a professional body (Institute of Public Relations and Communication Management) to regulate and promote standards of competence and practice among PR practitioners.

Public Relations practitioners in Kenya, Dr Marube noted are currently managing operating budgets estimated at more than Ksh8.7 billion making it extremely necessary to boost the professional profile of the communications discipline.

PRSK will also be accelerating the formation of sector based practice chapters to cater for the professional development needs of PR practitioners in the Public Communication, Private practice and academia fields.

“At PRSK, we have a new Strategic Plan which highlights the need to guarantee quality practice. The new PRSK Council has been mandated by the membership to ensure that we sustain the transformation, which we commit to undertake,” Dr Marube said.

Following the elections, Dr. Marube who also serves as the Communications Director at the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has taken over the mantle from outgoing PRSK President Ms Jane Gitau.

Dr Marube will be assisted by Vice President Mbugua Njoroge, Treasurer Arik Karani and Secretary Lilian Nganda.

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Other PRSK officials include Assistant Treasurer Michelle Anekeya, Assistant Secretary Vivienne Atieno, Council Members Tim Kamuzu Banda, Dr Haron Mwangi and Alfred Ng’ang’a.

PRSK which has more than 3000 members, was established in 1971 and serves as the umbrella professional body guiding PR practice in Kenya.

Within the East African Region, PRSK is a member of the East African Public Relations Association (EAPRA). PRSK is also a member of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA), the continental body for all PR national associations in Africa.