County Governments’ urged to implement access to information act

County Governments have been urged to avail critical data to the common citizen and set up complaints handling infrastructure in line with the Access to Information act 2016.

Speaking during the Devolution conference in Kirinyaga, Commission on Administrative Justice Chairperson Florence Kajuju said lack of information has been the biggest impediment to development for the government and called for corrective steps to ensure Kenyans get data in a timely and effective manner.

Kajuju added that the commission will continue addressing maladministration in public service and oversee the implementation of the Access to Information Act through public education.

“The access to information in a comprehensive and timely manner is crucial for public participation for good governance. We must embrace policy support for both public officers and the citizens.” Kajuju said.

The Access to Information Act, 2016, was enacted to give full effect to Article 35 which guarantees citizens access to information held by the State and sometimes private bodies. The act provides timelines for the provision of information (15 to 21 days), which is reduced to 48 hours if the information has implications on life or on the liberty of a person.