Information Act Promotes Governance and Integrity in Public Organizations: Case of Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service and Commission on Administrative Justice

Abstract

Information is fundamental to all human endeavors, therefore it is necessary that required information is provided to citizen either proactively or when requested as long as it is not the classified information The objectives of the study were to examine the use of Access to Information Act in promoting governance and integrity; establish the level of awareness of Access to Information Act, 2016; identify the avenues which public institutions use in promoting access to information and examine the value of access to information. The study used a total target population of 129. This study opted to use census sampling method since the population was not vast; the number of staff members was small. The study adopted a mixed methods approach by using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The study employed the use of questionnaires and interviews. On the use and awareness of the act a big number of the respondents affirmed their awareness while a small number indicated lack of knowledge of the act, an indication that awareness and knowledge of the act is high among the staff of the two organization, they also indicated on major case the act has been used on to make decision. Majority of the respondents agreed that there is need for civic education to create awareness of the act. In bridging access to information gap, numerous approaches are used; Huduma Kenya, Open Government Portal and National Council for Law are actually bridging the information gap. Regarding value of access to information majority of respondents agreed that Access to Information Act is a powerful tool in fighting impunity and eventually reducing corruption. The study recommends that there is need for the Commission on Administrative Justice, which has been given the mandate to execute this Act, to carry out a vigorous awareness campaign so that people can be aware of the acts existence and they can educate others also reap the benefits as this is their constitutional right. In addition, the research recommends for a budgetary allocation for putting up proper infrastructure for implementation, effective continuous public education on the importance of Access to Information Act, the procedure of requesting information needs to be laid down in a simplified manner. Behavior change among Access to Information Officers in public offices is another recommendation. Others are need for political will to abide and implement the Act. Proper information and records management, training and support in digitization of records. In addition develop regulations to operationalize the Act and have a simplified version of the Act. The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to implement these recommendations.