KENYA: The Government has promised a transparent regime committed to efficiency in service delivery.
Information, Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Thursday stressed the need for the Government and Civil Society to work together to promote open governance.
Speaking at the conference held at Serena Beach Hotel in Mombasa yesterday, Dr Matiang’i reiterated the Government’s commitment to open governance.
“The Government should publish a self-assessment report approximately after every three months so as to enhance transparency and accountability. A hallmark of an advanced society is how they execute or manage their differences in opinion,” Matiang’i said.
African-led process
The forum was attended by representatives of African governments, Civil Society, donor organisations, academia and Open Government Partnership member states officials.
The forum brought together players in the government and non-governmental sectors to explore the operational and technological issues affecting open governance in Africa while seeking to chart ways of improving service delivery.
South Africa Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo said open governance in the region should be an African-led process.
He said commitment to open governance was already being seen in how African leaders hold each other to account on various issues.
Executive Director at African Centre for Open Governance ( Africog) and founding member of Open Government Partnership (OGP) Gladwell Otieno, lauded efforts by African governments to embrace transparency in running of public affairs.
She encouraged governments that have not joined OGP to do so to make the dream of open governance in Africa a reality.
“Participating countries should share their experiences with other governments and civil society groups so as to tackle the Open Government Challenge,” Otieno said.