By Peace Muthoka.
Kenyans have been urged to actively claim their constitutional right to access public information as the Commission on Administrative Justice launched its first national report on government transparency.
The report, unveiled in Nairobi, highlighted the level of responsiveness by ministries, state departments, and counties under the Access to Information Act of 2016. It surveyed 81 public institutions across 21 counties.
Commission Vice Chairperson and Commissioner in charge of Access to Information, Dorothy Jemator Kimengech, said this is the first time the Commission has conducted such a survey to determine whether Kenyans are accessing information as guaranteed by Article 35 of the Constitution.
She noted that while many government institutions have been trained and are willing to release information, most citizens remain unaware of their right or how to exercise it.
The report found that 29 percent of the institutions sampled refused to proactively release basic public information such as budgets, procurement details, and institutional roles, despite being legally required to do so.
Jemator said Kenyans must begin by requesting information from the relevant institutions. If they do not receive a response within 21 days, they can escalate the matter to the Commission, which then formally engages the institution.
Commission Chairperson Charles Dulo emphasized that the Commission does not charge for these services and that most institutions do comply once formally contacted. He explained that citizens are always informed of the outcome once the Commission intervenes.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Justice, Human Rights, and Constitutional Affairs, Judith Pareno, who was the chief guest, commended the Commission for conducting the report and called it a timely move toward strengthening administrative justice.
She said the government is ready to support the Commission through laws and policies that will boost public access to information.
She further underscored the importance of improving record management and digitizing public data to ensure easy access for all citizens.
Pareno challenged young people, especially those in the Gen Z generation, to understand their rights under the Constitution and use lawful channels to demand accountability.
She said knowing the limits and processes under the law is key to accessing accurate, timely information.
Ay the same time Civil Society Organizations at the event emphasized that access to information only becomes meaningful when citizens step forward and demand it. The Commission pledged to continue supporting Kenyans in holding public institutions accountable.
