The ICA Kenya Chapter at Daystar University celebrates 2 years of impact marking its 2nd anniversary,advancing mentorship and fostering dialogue in communication field.

By Monica Opiyo and Timothy Oiro

[Nairobi, Friday April 4, 2025] The International Communication Association (ICA) Kenya Chapter celebrated its 2nd Anniversary in a hybrid event that was held on the eve of the actual anniversary date, Saturday, 5th April.

The physical meeting took place at Daystar University Nairobi Campus, where ICA Kenya Chapter members and invited guests congregated for an afternoon of reflection, celebration, and inspiration.

The event which began at 3:00 pm Kenyan time was a testament to the Chapter’s resilience, continued growth and the strengthening of its community. The event was attended by 105 online participants and 40 in-person delegates. The theme of this year’s celebration was Internationalization and Inclusivity: The ICA and ICA Kenya Chapter Joint Journey.

"The celebration commenced with an opening prayer by Mr. David Mulandi, who also shared brief reflective thoughts, grounding the event on gratitude and purpose. He encouraged attendees to embrace the spirit of joy as expressed in Philippians 4:4: 'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!'. This was followed by a warm welcome and introductory remarks by the Program Director, Ms. Nyatichi Nyasani, who then invited Sr. Prof. A.L Lando, the Chair of ICA Kenya Chapter, to address participants.

Sr. Prof. Lando took to the podium with grace and warmth, using the metaphor of a two-year-old’s developmental stage to illustrate the Chapter’s current status. She humorously noted that, like toddlers who occasionally throw tantrums, the ICA Kenya Chapter may experience moments of growing pains as it navigates its evolving needs and ambitions. She extended heartfelt birthday wishes to the Chapter and expressed deep appreciation to the Daystar University and ICA global leadership for their unwavering support.  Sr. Prof. Lando gave special mention to the ICA Executive Director, Laura Sawyer.

Sr. Prof. Lando reaffirmed that the core vision of ICA Kenya is Internationalization and Inclusivity: The ICA and ICA Kenya Chapter Joint Journey, and passionately advocated for greater involvement of Africa—and Kenya in particular—within the broader ICA community. She emphasized the importance of keeping the “I” in ICA alive, with “I” symbolizing the Internationalization and Inclusivity Agenda. She warmly welcomed all participants and once again celebrated the Chapter’s milestone with a resounding “Happy Birthday” wishes to ICA Kenya Chapter.

A key moment in the event was the address by Dr. Monica Opiyo, Convenor of the 2025 ICA Nairobi Hub, who spoke on the theme of the “2025 Special Number.” She emphasized the growing number of graduate students whose academic priorities revolve around progress, research, and publication. This demographic, she argued, presents a niche for ICA Kenya to serve and nurture, particularly given the alignment of interests around research. Dr. Opiyo also highlighted the upcoming 75th ICA Conference, to be held from 12th to 14th June 2025, noting its potential for regional collaboration, particularly with ICA Nigeria Chapter.

The Deputy Secretary of ICA Kenya, Ms. Wangeci Kanyeki, gave a reflective account of the Chapter’s achievements and activities over the past two years. She shared her personal growth journey as an ICA Kenya Chapter member, including authoring a book chapter and a journal article under the mentorship of Sr. Prof. Lando, as well as gaining invaluable professional exposure through participation in ICA conferences.

Prof. Lando then invited past ICA Presidents, Prof. Noshir Contractor and Prof. Mary Beth Oliver, to share their goodwill messages.

Prof. Noshir Contractor expressed his sincere appreciation to the leadership of Daystar University, particularly Prof. Laban Peter Ayiro, for their support of ICA Kenya Chapter. He paid tribute to Prof. Faith Nguru, who was a strong pillar in supporting ICA Kenya. He commended the Chapter’s vibrant energy and unwavering dedication in advancing the mission and growth of the Association. He stated that ICA’s strategic plan focuses on globalization and regional collaboration, with implementation of this plan set for February 2025 to support ICA’s expansion. Prof. Contractor voiced his enthusiasm for the event’s theme—Internationalization and Inclusivity: The ICA and ICA Kenya Chapter Joint Journey Agenda—and shared his hope that, in the near future, a member from ICA Kenya or another regional chapter might ascend to the ICA Presidency as he did. He concluded by reaffirming his strong and ongoing commitment to promoting internationalization within ICA.

Prof. Mary Beth Oliver through recorded message, opened her remarks with a heartfelt reflection, noting that when our hearts are aligned and our empathy is well attuned, we not only feel the pain of others—but also share deeply in their joys, passions, and accomplishments. It is this shared humanity, she emphasized, that makes celebrations like the ICA Kenya Chapter Anniversary so profoundly meaningful to ICA members across the globe. She expressed that ICA Kenya embodies what makes the Association truly special: exceptional scholarship, a rich diversity of insights, and experiences that contribute both breadth and wisdom to the global academic community. These contributions, she said, are a tremendous gift to ICA as a whole. Prof. Oliver concluded by expressing her deep gratitude to the ICA Kenya Chapter for their invaluable role within the organization.

This was followed by remarks from current ICA President, Prof. Silvio Waisbord, who extended warm wishes to the ICA Kenya Chapter on its 2nd Anniversary, congratulating the team on this important milestone. In his address, he outlined key strategies aimed at expanding ICA’s global reach, enhancing the sustainability of its chapters, and ensuring that all chapters remain active, engaged, and impactful. Prof. Waisbord reaffirmed his strong commitment to the internationalization of ICA, noting that this agenda had been a central pillar in his proposal during his bid for ICA global presidency. His vision, he explained, is to strengthen ICA’s global footprint by fostering the inclusion of scholars from diverse regions around the world. He expressed his delight in seeing this vision come to life in Kenya and other regions, underscoring ICA’s evolution into a truly global organization. A vibrant Q&A session followed, allowing members to interact with the ICA leadership in real time.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Dinah Keino, delivered a compelling presentation on the joint growth trajectory of ICA global and ICA Kenya, offering insights into the synergy between local chapters and the global body. This was complemented by remarks from Dr. Margaret Mtange, Chair of the ICA Kenya Chapter Membership Committee, who celebrated the heterogeneous composition of ICA Kenya, with members drawn from diverse universities and institutions. She emphasized the value of collaboration and skills sharpening, particularly through initiatives such as abstract writing and academic presentations.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Mr. Dismaus Mokua, a Strategic Communication Specialist and Political Analyst. His engaging talk on disruptive communication and the convergence of scholarship and industry highlighted the need for academic institutions to align training with market demands and adopt strategic approaches for sectoral dominance. In his address, he stated that Industry and practice can also co-create academic programs sensitive and aligned to market needs besides engaging in communication research and development.

Before concluding, the Program Director invited each chapter in attendance to give their remarks, showcasing the strength and unity of the wider ICA community. Sr. Prof. Lando gave the final remarks, expressing gratitude and setting a forward-looking tone for the chapter’s future. The celebration concluded with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony and a closing prayer by Dr. John-Bell Okoye.

The 2nd Anniversary celebration of the ICA Kenya Chapter was not just a milestone—it was a reaffirmation of commitment to scholarly excellence, inclusion, and international collaboration. It also served as a reminder of the exciting journey ahead, as the Chapter continues to grow and impact the communication landscape in Kenya and beyond.