NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 14- Communication officials from justice and security institutions joined journalists in a two-day programme aimed at strengthening election-period communication, crisis management and professional wellbeing.The capacity-building and wellness programme, organised by International Justice Mission (IJM) Kenya, brought together communication officers and journalists working within the criminal justice sector.Participants included representatives from the National Police Service (NPS), National Police Service Commission (NPSC), Internal Affairs Unit, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Witness Protection Agency (WPA), Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) and Court Reporters Association of Kenya (CRAK).The programme focused on how justice-sector institutions and the media can maintain accurate, timely and responsible communication during the electioneering period, when misinformation, disinformation and heightened public tensions can complicate access to credible information.Participants examined how institutions should respond to emerging issues, including determining which matters require a public response, who should speak on behalf of an institution and when such communication should be issued.The sessions also emphasised the need to verify information before publication or dissemination and to coordinate messages across institutions to prevent confusion and conflicting accounts.“When verification is incomplete, responsible communication does not mean silence, and it does not mean speculation,” said Asha, one of the trainers.“It means communicating what is known, clearly identifying what is being verified and updating the public when reliable information is established.”Participants were also cautioned against responding to every emerging claim, particularly where an institutional response could amplify misinformation or interfere with ongoing investigations and other official processes.The programme provided a platform for journalists and government communication officers to discuss challenges affecting their working relationships and identify ways to improve access to information and cooperation.Both sides identified working in silos as one of the major obstacles to effective communication and called for closer collaboration ahead of the 2027 General Election.Participants noted that limited coordination and fragmented information-sharing can undermine efforts to provide the public with timely, accurate and credible information, particularly during periods of heightened political activity.The discussions stressed the need for stronger engagement between the media and justice-sector institutions to ensure the public receives information that is factual, timely and properly contextualised.Alongside the professional sessions, IJM provided counsellors who conducted group counselling sessions to help participants manage work-related pressures and promote mental wellbeing.Team-building activities were also incorporated into the programme to strengthen trust, collaboration and professional relationships among participants drawn from different institutions.The engagement comes as justice and security institutions prepare for the demands of the 2027 election period, with participants stressing the importance of coordinated and responsible communication in safeguarding public trust and the credibility of institutions.