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Acknowledgements
This report owes its existence and its shape to many people. The authors are grateful to allinterviewees and reviewers for their generosity of their time and/or granting access to unpublisheddocuments; their willingness to participate and the thoughtfulness of their responses far exceededour hopes. It is a pleasure to acknowledge them: Permanent Secretary Dr. Bitange Ndemo(Ministry of Information and Communications); Paul Kukubo and Kaburo Kobia (Kenya ICTBoard); Mugo Kibati (Vision 2030); Johannes Zutt, Christopher Finch, Tracey Marie Lane, LucasA. Ojiambo, Aaron Thegeya, Carolyn Nanjala Wangusi, Catherine Mwende Ngumbau, Frederick O. Owegi, Fredrick Masinde Wamalwa, Laban Maiyo, Lucas A. Ojiambo, Philip BrynnumJespersen (World Bank in Kenya); Aleem Walji, Kaushal Jhalla, Tariq Afzal Khokhar, Robert RHunja (World Bank in Washington DC); Angela Gachui (Triple Bottom Line Associates); AthmanMohamed (Trademark); Al-Kags (Goode Communications); Davis Adieno and Micheal OtienoOloo (National Taxpayers Association); Dennis Gikunda (Google Africa); Eric Hersman(Ushahidi); Jay Bhalla (Consultant) and Willis Ochieng (Transparency International in Kenya).Please forgive us if we have omitted anyone from this list. Finally, appearance in theacknowledgements does not signify that people agree with everything herein, and any errors orfactual inconsistencies are our own.
 
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Abstract
In July 2011, Kenya become one of the first African countries and 22
nd
internationally to launchan Open Data initiative, making over 160 government datasets freely available through a publiclyaccessible online portal. The initiative is expected to support greater public transparency andaccountability, fundamentally changing the nature of citizen-government interaction. The releaseof public data online creates a platform supporting the development of third-party applications,enabling a vehicle for expanded public outreach and engagement leading to “a more responsiveand citizen-focused government” (Madera, 2009).This paper outlines underlying drivers, principal objectives and the evolution of the Kenya OpenData Initiative from inception to realisation. A comparative study of Kenya Open Data and relatedUS and UK initiatives is included, highlighting implications for the applicability of a ‘defaultmodel’ in developing countries. This paper also provides preliminary insights int
 
o the platform’saccess and usage patterns since the launch, as well as perceived present and future impact of thisinitiative in Kenya. Finally, it outlines the vision moving forward describing the principal barriersand supportive factors that must be addressed for the effective use of public sector information inKenya.Adopting a mixed-mode research design, the studydraws upon surveys, observational data  and interviews conducted with key actors. 
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JeffKaplan

Tariq's right, 400 character limit is tough ... It will be interesting to know from both Kenya and Moldova case study (coming soon we are told!) whether & how they created incentives for agencies to provide open data? Also whether they created any incentives for reuse?

reply12 / 14 / 2011
JeffKaplan

Great to have Kenya's early open data experiences documented. 2 comments looking forward: Point that gov must be proactive on open data supply & demand is impt. Govs must invest both in data and engagement, but tends to under invest in co-creation with user communities, incl public sector users who often need capacity upgrade. Maximize media campaign impact by promoting open data + killer apps.

reply12 / 14 / 2011
tariqkhokhar

The study gives the impression that Kenya didn't have much of a specific legal/policy infrastructure in place when it was going ahead with its Open Data Initiative. When folks recommend "how to do it" to other countries, the necessity of these legal/policy elements seems to feature prominently in the advice - would be interesting to unpack that issue a bit more.

reply12 / 14 / 2011
tariqkhokhar

Really interesting report - a lot more to say than the 400 characters here! The role of the "data team" from the World Bank seems really central here - without this capacity or support from an outside expert, I expect some governments would have a hard time getting started.

reply12 / 14 / 2011
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