Building Open Government Resiliency (KE0040)

Brief Description of the Commitment

The Commitment seeks to Leverage Kenya's Leadership as OGP Co-Chair to Integrate OGP Principles into National and Subnational Governance Frameworks, Responding to Challenges of Technological Acceleration, Eroding Trust, and Threats to Democracy.

Problem Definition

What problem does the commitment aim to address?

Kenya, much like the rest of the world, faces a myriad of challenges. However, the unique socio-political and economic fabric of our nation amplifies the implications of these issues, making them particularly pressing for us.

● Technological Acceleration: Kenya, renowned for innovations like M-Pesa, has consistently demonstrated its embrace of technological advancements. But as technology accelerates at unprecedented rates, it presents disparities in access and comprehension across various sections of our society. While urban centers like Nairobi rapidly integrate technological solutions, more remote regions can feel alienated, leading to unequal opportunities and potential misuse in governance.
● Eroding Trust: Recent surveys and studies in Kenya have pointed towards a declining trust in governmental and public institutions. Such erosion of faith can undermine the very foundation of our governance structures, weakening the citizen-government bond crucial for policy effectiveness.
● Threats to Democracy and Rising Authoritarianism: While Kenya has a rich history of democratic practices, recent political events and tensions have raised concerns around weaponizing of fundamental freedom of association, such as protests. The delicate balance of power and the sanctity of democratic principles are at stake if these tendencies go unchecked.
● Interconnected Crises Straining Governmental Capacities: Kenya, being part of the East African community, has faced its share of crises, from locust invasions affecting agriculture to economic challenges post-pandemic, supply chain disruptions and foreign currency fluctuations with an reduction of ODA. These crises, especially when they intersect, put tremendous strain on our already stretched governmental resources, demanding agile and effective responses.
● Constricted Service Delivery: Directly tied to the aforementioned challenges, there is a palpable concern in Kenya about the ability of the government to deliver essential services. From healthcare to education, the expectations of Kenyans are high, and any impediment in service delivery can have long-lasting implications.
● Emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Technological Innovations: With the rise of tech hubs in places like Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya is at the forefront of technological innovations in the region. But technologies like generative AI bring with them not just opportunities but also risks. Their integration into governance without a comprehensive understanding can lead to unintended consequences.
● Undemocratic Practices and Regional Instabilities: The African region, of which Kenya is an integral part, has recently witnessed unsettling political dynamics. The re-emergence of coups and power struggles is deeply concerning as it challenges the African Union norms and principles of non-indifference. These undemocratic practices and upheavals threaten the regional stability and can potentially spill over into Kenya, either through refugee crises, disrupted trade, or increased security threats. While Kenya remains a bastion of democracy in the region, the external environment poses challenges that cannot be ignored. Our diplomatic and governance strategies must account for these external pressures while safeguarding our own democratic values and institutions.

What are the causes of the problem?

● Pandemic's Economic Impact: The economic strain induced by the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges. Budgetary constraints and the reprioritization of resources to immediate pandemic responses impacted the pace and scale of some commitments.
● Election-Related Disruptions: The 2022 elections, though an opportunity in some respects, also brought potential disruptions in terms of policy continuity, resource allocation, and attention to OGP commitments.
● Global Resourcing Challenges: With many countries grappling with economic downturns, international funding and resources, which often support OGP initiatives, faced constraints.
● Operational Challenges in a Remote Context: The transition to remote working and digital platforms, though beneficial in some aspects, also posed operational challenges, especially in areas with limited digital infrastructure or for communities less familiar with digital tools.

Commitment Description

In the realm of technological advancement, Kenya stands as a beacon of innovation in East Africa. However, this rapid technological acceleration has been uneven, with urban centers being quick to integrate and adapt, while more remote regions potentially feel excluded. Trust in governmental and public institutions, a cornerstone for any thriving democracy, is currently facing erosion. This declining trust poses a significant threat to the citizen-government relationship, with potential repercussions for policy effectiveness and national cohesion. In terms of democratic health, while Kenya has historically been an emblem of democratic values, recent events and tensions signal potential authoritarian inclinations. These concerns are accentuated further by regional dynamics, especially with the re-emergence of coups and power imbalances in neighboring countries. Such developments threaten not only Kenya's internal democratic framework but also its external diplomatic and trade relations. Moreover, a series of interconnected crises, ranging from ecological threats like locust invasions to the economic repercussions of the pandemic, have strained governmental capacities. These challenges test our administrative agility and responsiveness, with potential implications for the delivery of essential services, from healthcare to education. The advent of technologies, especially generative AI, presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While Kenya is rapidly becoming a hub of technological innovations, integrating such technologies without a nuanced understanding could have unforeseen ramifications.

Proposed Solutions

● Embed OGP Commitments in National Priorities: Leveraging election cycles and national strategies to embed OGP commitments ensures sustained attention and resource allocation.
● Foster Flexibility: As global challenges like pandemics can emerge unexpectedly, building flexibility for commitments can aid in adapting to such unforeseen circumstances.
● Strengthen Digital Infrastructure: The importance of a robust digital infrastructure has been highlighted during the pandemic. Efforts should be made to enhance digital access and literacy, ensuring inclusivity.
● Prioritize Resource Mobilization and Allocation: In the face of economic challenges, strategic allocation and prioritization of resources for OGP commitments are essential.
● Enhance Multilateral Cooperation: Drawing on the spirit of global solidarity witnessed during the pandemic, efforts should be made to strengthen multilateral collaborations and share best practices.
● Engage Broadly: Engaging a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including civil society, can provide diverse perspectives, ensure broader buy-in, and bolster commitment implementation.

Desired Results

The expected change from implementing the commitment revolves around the holistic integration of Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles into Kenya's governance structures, both at national and subnational levels. Here is a detailed breakdown:

1.Enhanced Technological Integration with Equitability: The commitment aims to bridge the technology divide between urban centers and remote regions, fostering environments where innovations, like generative AI, are responsibly and equitably implemented. This ensures that all Kenyans, irrespective of their location, have equal access to technological benefits and governmental services.

2.Restoration of Trust: Focusing on transparency, accountability, and participation, the commitment seeks to rebuild and enhance the trust of Kenyans in their institutions. The goal is to bolster public confidence, ensuring citizens feel their voice is heard and that government actions are transparent and accountable.

3.Strengthened Democratic Values: The commitment aspires to counteract tendencies towards authoritarianism, both domestically and in the region, reinforcing Kenya's democratic institutions against external undemocratic influences from neighboring nations.

4.Efficient Crisis Management and Service Delivery: It targets agile, transparent, and responsive mechanisms to address crises, ensuring governmental responses are swift, inclusive, and effective, leading to consistent and high-quality public services.

5.Constructive Engagement with Regional Dynamics: Acknowledging regional challenges, the commitment aims to use OGP principles as tools for diplomacy, advocating for transparency, participation, and accountability in the region, mitigating threats like coups, and promoting stability.

6.Cultivation of Societal Resilience: The commitment aims to foster a resilient Kenyan society capable of withstanding and bouncing back from crises:
● Strengthening Institutional Frameworks: Transparent, accountable, and participatory public institutions can aid in quick crisis response.
● Community Empowerment: A bottom-up approach ensures resilience-building measures tailored to specific community requirements.
● Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: By engaging with regional partners, Kenya can share best practices, fostering collective resilience across the continent.
● Diversified Economic Structures: Transparent economic policies lead to diversified economic structures less vulnerable to external shocks.
● Capacity Building and Training: Engagement with civil society and academia promotes capacity-building, ensuring the nation has the human capital to navigate challenges.

7. Beneficiary Impact: The Kenyan populace stands to benefit from these comprehensive changes. They can expect a government that listens, institutions they can trust, services that are efficient and reliable, and an overall resilient society that remains robust amidst adversity

Commitment Planning (Milestones | Expected Outputs | Expected Completion Date)

Design a comprehensive digital strategy for transparent governance, which includes the deployment of a digital platform for active citizen participation and a multimedia campaign centred on transparency, accountability, and open governance. | A fully operational digital platform with usage reports indicating active engagement across 60% of Kenyan counties by the end of 2024, and a campaign report detailing reach metrics, engagement statistics, and a pre-and-post trust assessment survey by Q2 2025. | December 2026

Strengthen regional alliances by organizing workshops within the East African Community and hosting the OGP Regional Meeting. | Workshop proceedings with attendance from at least 70% of member nations and postworkshop feedback reports by mid-2024; and comprehensive documentation of the OGP Regional Meeting's proceedings, insights, resolutions, and feedback by September 2024. | October 2025

Institute a National Council on Open Government for OGP Coordination and better alignment with Government Programming and funding cycles. | Development of a Cabinet Memo and presentation to Cabinet, seeking operationalization of the National Council on Open Government. | June 2024

Develop a robust resource and financing mechanism for OGP. | Development of an Open Government Program with multi-donor working group under the development partners framework. | December 2026

Institutionalize and amplify open governance practices through and not limited to a STATE OF OPENNESS REPORT. | An official directive or policy guideline mandating open governance practices across all State organs and agencies, and the publication of the inaugural annual State of Openness Report by Q4 2024; alongside a collaboration framework with the Maarifa Center and other knowledge platforms. | December 2024

Champion OGP leadership by facilitating peer exchanges, developing a Co-Chair roadmap, mobilizing meaningful and committed political will backed by resourcing across the Partnership and the African region, and maintaining active engagement with OGP countries. | Annual synthesis reports documenting shared experiences from 2024; a publicaccessible OGP Co-Chair roadmap by Q1 2024; and quarterly engagement reports starting from Q2 2024. | October 2024