Enhance Access to information and Inclusivity (KENDC0003)

Commitment ID

KENDC0003

Commitment Title

Enhance Access to information and Inclusivity

Problem

Nandi County faces challenges in ensuring equitable access to timely, reliable, and disaggregated data, particularly for marginalized groups such as women, youth, and PWDs, who constitute 65% of the population but are underrepresented in participatory processes (youth: 28%, women: 22%, PWDs: 0.5%). Limited digital literacy, inadequate offline access points, and language barriers restrict these groups’ ability to engage with county data and decision-making. The centralized nature of existing participatory platforms, such as the toll-free Call Centre, limits accessibility for rural residents, while the lack of comprehensive, machine-readable data hinders evidence-based civic engagement. These issues exacerbate marginalization and reduce the effectiveness of citizen input in budget and policy priorities. (https://www.opengovpartnership.org/members/nandi-kenya/commitments/KENDC0001/)

Status quo

To address these issues, the County Government of Nandi has taken several important steps:

1. Launch of a Toll-Free Call Centre – Provides a channel for citizens to submit feedback and complaints, although access remains limited in rural areas.

2. Participation in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) – Signaling a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

3. Development of a County Open Data Policy (ongoing) – Aims to enhance public access to government-held information in usable formats.

4. Enactment of the Public Participation and Civic Engagement Law (Public Participation and Civic Education Act,2021)– Establishes a legal framework for structured, inclusive, and accountable citizen involvement in governance processes.

5. Engagement with Civil Society and Youth Organizations – Through localized forums, budget dialogues, and community outreach.

6. Adoption of Digital Communication Platforms – Including social media and mobile surveys to facilitate information sharing and feedback.

Action

Nandi County commits to strengthening public access to timely, reliable, and disaggregated information to promote inclusive governance. The focus is on ensuring that women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) can access and use information in both digital and offline formats.

Key actions include:

• Developing and implementing a County Access to Information Policy aligned with Kenya’s Access to Information Act.

• Publishing machine-readable, gender-, age-, and disability-disaggregated datasets on budgets, services, and projects.

• Establishing ward-level information desks and using community radio, SMS, and print to expand access.

• Producing multilingual and disability-friendly content.

• Enforcing the Public Participation and Citizen Engagement Law to secure citizen rights to information and feedback.

• Building digital and civic literacy for women, youth, and PWDs to use data for advocacy and decision-making.

Objective:
To ensure equitable, inclusive access to public information so citizens—especially marginalized groups—can participate meaningfully in governance, hold leaders accountable, and shape decisions.

Expected results:

• Access to Information Policy adopted

• Increased availability of disaggregated, open data

• Broader outreach via multiple access channels

• Higher public awareness of information rights

• Strengthened citizen trust, engagement, and policy alignment

How will the commitment contribute to solving the public problem described above?

This reform significantly advances access to information by decentralizing data access through ward-level Information Access Hubs, ensuring rural and marginalized communities can engage without digital or travel barriers. The multilingual Nandi Chatbot addresses language inclusivity, making information accessible to diverse groups. Expanding the Open Data Desk with real-time, disaggregated datasets empowers citizens to monitor budgets and projects, enhancing accountability. Capacity-building programs will equip citizens and staff with data literacy skills, building on the success of prior training with Mzalendo Trust. By addressing the digital divide, language barriers, and data accessibility, this action ensures that women, youth, and PWDs can actively participate in governance, aligning with the Equitable Development Act’s citizen-led budget allocation model.(https://www.opengovpartnership.org/members/nandi-kenya/commitments/KENDC0001/)[](https://nandi.go.ke/news/nandi-countys-new-initiatives-enhancing-transparency-and-citizen-engagement/)

What long-term goal as identified in your Open Government Strategy does this commitment relate to?

This action promotes transparency by publishing comprehensive, machine-readable data on the Open Data Desk, covering budgets, procurement, and project implementation, enabling citizens to track county activities. It fosters public accountability by integrating citizen feedback mechanisms through the Nandi Chatbot and Information Access Hubs, ensuring county officials act on community input, as mandated by the Equitable Development Act’s Project Management Committee oversight. It enhances civic participation by empowering marginalized groups with accessible information and training, enabling them to influence ward-level project decisions through Project Implementation Committees and Project Management Committees. These measures build trust and ensure governance reflects citizen priorities, aligning with OGP’s core values.(https://www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/action-plan-nandi-kenya-2021-2022/)(https://www.opengovpartnership.org/members/kenya/commitments/KE0034/)

Primary Policy Area

Civic Space

Primary Sector

Public Services (general)

What OGP value is this commitment relevant to?