Kenyans have made a total of 249, 424 requests for information from public institutions, the Commission on Administrative Justice has revealed.
The commission, also known as the Office of the Ombudsman, said 92.8 per cent of the requests were granted.
“The commission has to-date received and processed a total of over 1,152 applications for review of decisions by entities under the Access to Information Act with a resolution rate of 85 per cent,” Commission on Administrative Justice CEO Mercy Wambua said.
Wambua made the remarks on Friday in a presentation during the Commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
This year’s theme is “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation in the Public Sector”.
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, is hinged on the provision of public information as a key pillar for its achievement.
Specifically, Target 16.10.2 requires all States to ensure access to information through the adoption and implementation of appropriate Constitutional, and Statutory policies that guarantee information disclosure.
In her presentation, Wambua noted that several challenges have been witnessed in the implementation of the right to information.
She said there are inadequate resources to support key institutional access to information functions.
She added that there exists a culture of secrecy as some officers are yet to appreciate the place of the right of access to information, transparency and accountability.
“Poor records management which poses challenges on availability and retrievability of requested information thus hindering effective processing of information. This has occasioned a ripple effect of high administrative costs to institutions in the retrieval process,” she further added.
To address the challenges, Wambua recommended prioritisation of the passing of the National Access to Information Policy which is intended to ensure a uniform government approach to information disclosures.
She also called for investment in technological support for public Institutions to enhance access to information.
“ICT is an enabler of access to information by ensuring disclosure of information and managing requests for information through the e-platform,” she explained.
She further urged prioritisation of the enactment of the Public Participation Bill in order to provide a clear guiding framework on citizens’ participation in policy making.