Daystar University hosts the 75th International Communication Association Conference Kenya Chapter at the Nairobi Campus
By Timothy Oiro

[Nairobi Campus- June 15, 2025] Daystar University, through the Graduate School, hosted the 75th International Communication Association (ICA) conference from 12th – 14th June at DAC Auditorium Nairobi Campus.

The conference attracted notable scholars, researchers and communicators who are well versed in different aspects of communication. The scholars presented papers around the theme of the conference, Disrupting and consolidating communication research. The Nairobi hub conference ran concurrently with the 75th ICA Annual conference which took place in Denver, Colorado, USA.

The Nairobi Hub at Daystar University, alongside other regional hubs, gave opportunity for scholars who could not travel to the USA to present their papers and follow the 75th ICA conference from their country.

In his opening remarks, the Principal, Nairobi Campus, Prof. Michael Bowen welcomed participants to Daystar University. He acknowledged the presence of DVC FAP, Prof. Muturi Wachira who represented the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Dismus Mokua the keynote speaker for the day, and all the participants.

Prof. Bowen expressed hope that this year’s conference theme will pave way for the development of new theories and bring positive disruptions to the media industry.

Prof. Bowen recognized that since the inception of ICA Kenya Chapter, ICA had gained reputation for facilitating high quality conferences, giving Daystar University, which has been hosting ICA Kenya Chapter, the honor to host the regional conferences.

Mr. Dismas Mokua Ondieki, senior partner at Tricarta Advisory delivers a presentation on Scholarship and Innovation during the International Communication Association Conference at Daystar University  Nairobi Campus.

Day one featured keynote address from Mr. Dismus Mokua, a communication expert political analyst and Managing Director of Tri-Carta . He noted that disruption is important in providing growth and meaningful discovery around communication research.

 “Disruption is essential, for it paves the way for meaningful breakthrough,” he said.

Mr. Mokua’s presentation titled Scholarship and innovation in the Kenyan context, focused on how communication can be disrupted and later consolidated. He gave key examples of thought leaders such as Clayton Christensen an academic provocateur, who developed the theory of disruptive communication, which has evolved to be one of the most influential business idea of the 21st century. In the Kenyan context, he gave an example of Mr. Michael Joseph, the founding CEO of Safaricom, who disrupted the technology environment in Kenya.

Mr. Mokua finished his presentation by highlighting various strategic opportunities that communicators in research can leverage which include:

1. Knowledge co-creation through research and collaboration.
2. Pro-actively co-create academic programmes aligned to market needs.

Other insightful speakers were Mr. Edwin Osoro who presented a paper titled AI: reshaping emotional and contextual engagement across health sectors, co-authored with Dr. Lydia Radoli a fellow faculty member at Daystar University,. He underscored the importance of incorporating AI models with emotional intelligence and cultural awareness to ensure ethical and inclusive AI systems. James Ayona Asande also presented a paper on The influence of AI on visual rhetoric and digital journalism in the context of Kenyan Gen Z Protests.

Over the next two days, the Nairobi Campus DAC Auditorium maintained the same high spirit, with various speakers giving their sentiments and presentations.

The Ag. DVC ARSA, Prof. Samuel Muriithi presented a paper on positive disruptions, titled Scholarship from international communication. He argued that although disruption may have negative connotation it can make positive impact, hence companies should ensure success in their dealings by ensuring success in disruptive communication.

Another stand out presentation was from Prof. Shem Otoi Sam, whose paper elaborated on how to leverage and disrupt research on grant activities and opportunities. He clearly defined that research funds are funds given to support research activities. His presentation clearly outlined the sole purpose of research which is to finance the whole process of research from start to finish.

The conference also followed the presentation of Prof. Steven Wilson and Prof. Patrice Buzzaneli on how supervisors and students can create rapport when undertaking their postgraduate studies. Prof. Patrice stated that it is high time supervisors and students open meaningful conversations by challenging each other academically. Prof. Steven Wilson further advised the postgraduate students on the need to understand their supervisors in order to have a positive work relationship.

The ICA Nairobi regional hub conference was a resounding success and a true reflection of how communicators can up with new ideas in this digital age tentatively in the area of communication research.

Participants departed with positive disruptive thoughts on how to advance communication research.