All government entities are required to leverage on technology to enable them utilize digital platforms to provide information needed by members of the public on a timely basis.
The Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani said it was imperative upon every organization to leverage on technology, develop and implement innovative ways of ensuring that routine and systematic information disclosure is promoted.
He said public authorities have a responsibility to proactively publish certain categories of information among them, their organizational structure, functions, financial statements, and cost of services, and called upon organizations to see how best the information they hold could reach the public within the set parameters.
“This disclosure enhances transparency and accountability, minimizes corruption, improves service delivery and ultimately expands the democratic space,” said Kisiang’ani,
He at the same time observed that the information disclosure could be achieved through interactive and easy to navigate websites, social media platforms, broadcasting and use of local FM stations to reach citizens in the language they understood best.
The PS made the remarks on Thursday in a speech read on his behalf by an Assistant Director of Information from the Directorate of Information Mrs. Mary Musasia during a Multi-sectoral Stakeholder Forum on Access to Public Finance Information held at a Nairobi hotel.
He noted that granting citizens the right to access information held by public authorities would be in tandem with the Access to Information Act, of 2016 which aimed promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
The PS said even though the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE) is mandated to formulate laws and policies that regulate standards and services information, communication and technology sector, all industry players must adhere to the set standards and progressively review their performance towards meeting their obligation by making information they hold accessible to the public.
“In doing so, we shall together facilitate development of knowledge-based information society,” he stated.
The PS announced that the MICDE ministry through Kenya News Agency, is currently working with the National Government Administration Officers to disseminate government information through public barazas and national celebrations, a move he noted would enable citizens to get the right information and to make informed decisions regarding their economic and social life.
He said the Constitution 2010 states that it is a right for all citizens to receive any information that makes it possible for them to enjoy or protect their rights, it provides for freedom of expression which includes freedom to seek, receive or impart information or ideas. It also provides the state with the obligation to publish and publicize any important information affecting the nation.
Kisiang’ani however, noted that as much as the citizens have a right to access information held in public and private entities, there exists justifiable limitation of this right as provided for under section 6 of the Act.
The PS said “Certain information may be exempted from disclosure to protect national security, privacy and other sensitive matters,” adding that such exemptions must however be clearly spelt out, defined and justified to prevent misuse.
He added the Ministry’ Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo in consultation with the Commission for Administrative Justice last year developed several regulations towards operationalizing the Act, whose regulation touched the information holders, the dissemination of information, proactive and reactive disclosures and procurement records among others.
He also said that the ministry has put in place the required guidelines, laws and infrastructure including data protection policies, laying of fibre optic network and opening up digital hubs in the counties with free WiFi among others.
Speaking at the forum, Commissioner Lucy Ndung’u from the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) said there is need the state agencies to come up with policies that addressed the real needs of the citizenry, information that can be used by researchers and universities and those that can protect whistle blowers.
“As a regulator of information, the Commission will collaborate with members of the public and government agencies to address the issues on Access to Information to process how the government and citizens can use information to access other rights,” she said.
Lucy said the Commission will come up with activities and actions which support good administration, prudent use of funds, accountability by fighting corruption and to enable the public access the right information that they can utilize and participate decision making.
The event was also addressed by the National Democratic Institute Country Director Mr. Dennis Omondi who urged organisations to break down information, avoid bulky documents and simply the language used to make it easy for Wanjiku to comprehend and benefit from it as intended.
The forum was organized by the Commission on Administrative Justice in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute, a non-governmental organization.
By Bernadette Khaduli
