[kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions

Tue Oct 25 18:10:05 EAT 2011

Standards for records management are key to ensuring people DON'T keep records in whatever format they wish!!! What constitutes international best practice standards for records keeping? Does Kenya have this in place? What are the gaps? If Wamukoya and his team could point out the main gaps for the case of Kenya - we can then begin to make progress towards rectifying the situation. I agree with Harry for suggesting a structure face to face with clear action plan for moving forward to correct the problems.

Gaitho, "proactive disclosure" may be the way to go for some of these important pieces of information - that may not be classified as "in the interest of national security". For e.g. Canada has proactive disclosure on 1) the travel and hospitality expenses of senior government officials and the legislation requires that these are published on the websites of the corporations; 2) contracts entered into by the Government for amounts over $10,000 (with only limited exceptions such as national security); 3)  position reclassifications etc etc.

According to Lit, the main areas to consider when dealing with FOI include:

* FOI response process/system
* Costs of compliance
* Time spent processing requests and
backlogs
* FOI training and awareness for public
authorities
* Senior management's role
* Recordkeeping as key to FOI's
success

Records management again is KEY!

From: Macharia Gaitho [mailto:mgaitho at ke.nationmedia.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 5:43 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: RE: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions

Dear Listers,

We are still mixing up two quite separate issues. The librarians and archivists and registry clerks will store their records in whatever formats they find most suitable. That is maybe a technical challenge.

Some of us are more concerned about Freedom of Information as a basic right.

If, for instance, I wanted records from the Communications Commission of Kenya on idle broadcast licenses and frequencies hoarded by briefcase operators, or information from the Dept of Defense on corrupt contract establishing Project Nexus, I should not turned away on ground that I am too thick to make use of the information.

Regards,

Macharia

From: kictanet-bounces+mgaitho=nation.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+mgaitho=nation.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Edith Adera
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 5:30 PM
To: Macharia Gaitho
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions

The challenge should be thrown to Bwana Ndemo/ICT Board/e-Government Secretariat to host such a forum...and soon. Any seconders?

Edith

From: kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.or.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Harry Delano
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 5:42 PM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions

Grace,

Based on what I have seen on this list to date,  I think if we are to accord this very important topic
the magnitude it deserves, we may need a much more larger, multi-stakeholder forum to tackle
information management. Perhaps we can dub it "Information Value chain management for
socio-economic and political development".

Then this way, we can tap some of the progressive minds we have in this country, including our
very own PS to help us put into sharp focus a more "Knowledge-based" society that will drive
forward a "Knowledge-based Economy/Socio-Political agenda"

We need to scale this to a level at which we can start seeing action and realizing clearly laid-out
objectives going forward. Stakeholders really need to stand out and be counted.

My final take..

Harry

________________________________
From: kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke [mailto:kictanet-bounces+harry=comtelsys.co.ke at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Grace Githaiga
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 12:53 AM
To: harry at comtelsys.co.ke
Cc: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions
Great ideas Wamukoya and Dr. Ndemo

Wamukoya, you raise the same concern that Dr Ndemo raised earlier in this discussion on how we manage information. The question that still remains unanswered is: In what formats should this information be stored in?

I agree with you on the need for institutions to have proper structures of managing information and I have in mind institutions such as the Judiciary and the Ministry of Lands.  You are on spot on the need for government bodies to have a systematic approach towards information management. This question needsd further discussion: How do we incorporate records management into discussions about ICT development, e-government and development generally?

Dr. Ndemo, in your contribution, you provide this vital information that the government is already working on data standards for the open data. Could you kindly provide more information on the process, and for example can people (read listers) make input?

You raise the issue that there is need for apps that will make it easier for the public to navigate through and find information they are looking for. Are you tapping on local talent say from the ihub?

Listers, please feel free to discuss these questions and those that have been raised in this debate on aligning records management with ICT e-government and freedom of information, that you feel need elaboration. In the meantime we will start putting together points that have emerged and share once we complete compiling.

Have a great week.

Rgds
GG

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________________________________
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:03:54 +0100
From: jwamukoya1 at yahoo.com<mailto:jwamukoya1 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions raised by Dr Ndemo and Harry Delano
CC: kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke<mailto:kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
To: ggithaiga at hotmail.com<mailto:ggithaiga at hotmail.com>
Thanks Dr. Ndemo for your thoughts.It is true that organizations public as well as private need to manage their information as well as records well enough that citizens can have access to quality information that will enable them ascertain their various rights. This will require a more systematic approach in the way we automate our registries to ensure provision of quality information. Currently, government efforts in various information sectors such as ICT, e-Government, Records Management and FOI are disjointed and not adequately coordinated. Professionals in each sector are doing their own thing without paying attention to what is happenning in other sectors. We can certainly take this country places by having in place a more systematic and integrated approach towards information management with more attention being paid to standards.

Have  a good day.

Justus

________________________________
From: "bitange at jambo.co.ke" <bitange at jambo.co.ke>
To: justus wamukoya <jwamukoya1 at yahoo.com>
Cc: "kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Friday, 21 October 2011, 21:05
Subject: Re: [kictanet] Freedom of Information laws and records management/More questions raised by Dr Ndemo and Harry Delano
Justus,
You are right. The Government actually is a head in this endeavor considering the fact that most registries would be digitized before the law is in place. On open data we are working on data standards. We need more apps to make it easier for the public to navigate through and find what they want.

People generally would need information that affects their day to day life. Personally I would need more data or information from utilities. Here we shall need for example smart grid so that I can understand my energy consumption. I need to verify what KPLC or City Council bill me. I need to compare what my physician charges me. I need the hospital to itemise their billing. This is where we shall have a problem since most of these organization have no idea what the impact of access to information is all a bout.

Soon on open data we post school performaces and qualification of teachers. This will help provide better analtics on why some schools or students perform better than others.

We simply have to have all the information in digital format. It will be easier to manage the databases and create more software development jobs. Digital records are easier to manage, search and greater sharing of information.

Ndemo.

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