Open data



the case of Kenya



IGF 2013 - Bali

Internet rights are Human rights (IRHR)


What is open data


The Open Definition sets out principles

that define “openness” in relation to data and content.


“A piece of data or content is open if anyone is free to use, reuse, and redistribute it — subject only, at most, to the requirement to attribute and/or share-alike.”



The open definition




The full Open Definition gives precise details:

  • Availability and Access
  • Reuse and Redistribution
  • Universal Participation
  • Interoperability


Source: Open Data Handbook



Open Data Initiative



About Kenya Open Data


Open Data Initiative has provided the first freedom of
information portal in sub-Saharan Africa


Open data portal's goal



“to make core government development, demographic, statistical and expenditure data available in a useful digital format for researchers, policymakers, ICT developers and the general public.”




The platform



  • launched in 2011

  • By mid-2012, more than 400 datasets

  •  Initially providing access online to :
    • data from the 2009 national census
    • data on public expenditure
    • data on public services 


Challenges

some government departments are
resisting online publication of information.


The permanent secretary at the ministry
responsible for the portal has said:


“We are not getting data from organisations because they claim to own it, even those that have collected the data using taxpayers’ money.”



Limits


Available information on the platform

did not include material concerned
with internal policy discussions

inside government




Resources


Princeton University  - Disseminating the power of information, Kenya Open Data Initiative 2011 -2012


Daily Nation - Kenya open data initiative has hit a dead end, says PS


AllAfrica, The Star - Kenya: Journalists Can Save Kenya Open Data Initiative


Questions for discussion



  1. Is open data sufficient for open government, or should online access be made available to a much wider range of public information?
  2. What should human rights organisations do to stimulate freedom of information, and how can they use it most effectively in their work?
  3. What limits should apply to freedom of information, in order to protect other rights such as privacy and security?



Thanks


by hvale @froatosebe



credits: MULTIMEDIA TRAINING KIT
Group discussions and case studies: Freedom of
expression and freedom of information
Developed by: David Souter

open data - the case of Kenya

By hvale vale

open data - the case of Kenya

or the Open Data Initiative that has provided the first freedom of information portal in sub-Saharan Africa IGF2013 - APC

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