Open Data Initiative being frustrated, says Matiang’i

Reluctance by public organisations to release data is frustrating the Kenya Open Data Initiative barely two years since its launch.

Information and Communications cabinet secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday said the ministry experiences difficulties getting information from public organisations yet data is collected using taxpayers’ money.

Matiang’i said his ministry is now in the final stages of reviewing key Bills that will force all organisations to release information to be uploaded to the public website.

“The fact that the Freedom of Information Act is yet to go through Parliament is a major bottleneck because there is lack of a legal backing to force institutions to release data. We have made the proposed regulations and we are now consulting with the Constitution Implementation Commission before they get to Parliament,” Dr. Matiang’i said while addressing the press at the ongoing Open Government Partnership conference in Mombasa.

He said the government is keen to embrace openness and transparency in the delivery of services.

The two-day forum, organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication and the Kenya ICT Board, is attended by more than 100 delegates from African countries.

Delegates are using the forum to compare notes on the developments in data initiatives in their respective countries with a view to providing information freely.