KELIN Celebrates the Enactment of the Access to Information Act, 2016

On 28 September, 2016, KELIN in partnership with members of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Network in Kenya held a public forum to celebrate the enactment of the Access to Information Act, 2016. The Freedom of Information Network is a coalition of civil society organizations that work on access to information and is made up of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Article 19 East Africa, KELIN, Natural Justice, Katiba Institute, Mzalendo and Transparency International among others.

The public forum in Nairobi brought together participants from diverse sectors including academia, the public service, Nairobi County government and grassroots movements from the county’s informal settlements. The forum commemorated the country’s journey towards the adoption of a freedom of information framework and sensitizing the public on the use and implementation of the Act.

Key to these discussions was the role of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) in the implementation of the law. Participants also expressed their satisfaction with the law stating that it will aid them in addressing some of the social and economic challenges they are facing in their neighbourhoods. Information on health service delivery, water and sanitation topped the list of concerns which citizens would engage the law in.

Hon. Priscilla Nyokabi who has been a champion for the act and was a chief guest at the forum asked the participants to remain vigilant and get more involved the implementation of the act. In the coming months KELIN will work with other members of the FOI network to develop a road map for the implementation of the act and in particular, citizens’ access to health information.

To contribute to the discussions on this forum, follow KELIN on our social media platforms using the hash tag #AccessToInfoKE

Additional document: Access to Information Act, 2016

Twitter: @KELINkenya

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya

For more information contact:

Sandra Ochola

Deputy Executive Director

Mombasa Road, Somak building 4th Floor

P O Box 112 – 00200 KNH Nairobi,

Tel: 020, 2515790 │Mobile: 0790 339964

E-mail: sochola@kelinkenya.org

Website: www.kelinkenya.org