SECTOR 1

Scores:
Individual scores:
1

Country does not meet indicator

2

Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator.

3

Country meets many aspects of indicator but
progress may be too recent to judge.

4

Country meets most aspects of indicator.

5

Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has
been doing so over time.

Average score: 			

1.0 (2005=1.0; 2007=1.7)

1.8
Public information is easily
guaranteed by law, to all citizens.

accessible,

Analysis
In practice public information (i.e. information in possession of the state to
which the public should have access as it is in the public
interest) is difficult to access by journalists and the general
public. Public information is restricted by the structure and
procedures in the public service, where a Permanent Secretary
[Official
in a ministry is the only spokesman of the ministry, and yet s/
Government
he is not accessible, and is at liberty as to what information can
be provided. The office of the Official Government Spokesman
Spokesperson]…
was established in 2003, “to effectively facilitate communication
turned out to be
between the Government, its citizens and global audiences”.
“Government
However, from observations of its performance, it has turned
out to be a public relations machinery, a virtual “Government
spin-doctor
spin-doctor for official disinformation”. Restriction of public
for official
information is reinforced by the culture of secrecy in the public
disinformation”
service, based on Official Secrets Act (Chapter 187). The Act
places a responsibility of non-disclosure of information on all
government officials and any other person who may come across
such information. Civil servants are required to take an oath of
secrecy under the Act.
The Freedom of Information Draft Bill 2008 seeks to respond and address such
concerns.

18

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2009

Select target paragraph3