[kictanet] Public Servants and blogging

[Alex Gakuru]

--- Al Kags <alkags at alkags.com> wrote:

>
http://davepress.net/2008/03/10/public-servants-must-blog/
> 
> I just came across the above article and I wonder
> what the thoughts of this
> groups. One would imagine beyond the official policy
> and regulations 

We cannot avoid starting with the "siri kali" colonial
relic law (Official Secrets Act, Cap 187, Laws of
Kenya) because Civil Servants risk outright sack for
"leaking" *any* useful info:( unless blog's about how
they spent their holidays;) I think this is why
selective amnesia plays when certain uncomfortable
questions are put to people in authority--even on this
list.

---
1.16    Security
The Cabinet Office briefs Ministers on applicable
security requirements, from time to time. During their
tenure of office and after, all Ministers and
Assistant Ministers are bound by the Oath of Office,
the Official Secrets Act as well as the Public Officer

                                           7
Ethics Act and must therefore maintain confidentiality
at all times. In addition, they must ensure that
cabinet information is not released without Cabinet
Office approval.

Permanent Secretaries are accountable to their
Ministers for the security of departmental personnel,
information, facilities and other assets. All
individuals who work in or for Ministers’ offices must
be vetted and approved before appointment. In
addition, Ministers have been granted armed police
security throughout. The officers are always in
contact with the wider police network in case
additional back up is necessary. However, Ministers
should not hesitate to inform their Permanent
Secretaries if increased security is needed.

Ministers are required to notify their Permanent
Secretaries immediately of any potential compromise of
Cabinet confidences. The Permanent Secretary,
Secretary
to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service can
provide Ministers with further information on security
matters.
  
<http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/Reports/Government/mar_07/HANDBOOK_ON_GOVERNING_RESPONSIBILITY_IN_KENYA.pdf>

> is a social impediment to public servants blogging.
> What would need to
> happen to get us to a point where we have official
> public blogs?

Thus in the prevailing situation the blog would be no
more that another intelligence gathering avenue to
help Government spokesman respond better else
untrustworthy "anonymous" Civil Servant blogger trying
attempting to to opinionate us by releasing
"confidential" misinformation, in my opinion. Scrap
OSA and give Civil Servants room to freely inhabit the
internet space.  

Happy Easter Holidays!

Alex



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