About Open County
The core principle undergirding the Open County Programme is promoting open government at the grassroots. Through this local focus, Open County provides a framework through which county-level engagement between county government, private sector and civil society is initiated and sustained.
It also ensures citizens are given a seat at the table through public participation in governance processes such as county budgets, service delivery and the use of devolved funds which are critical to the improvement of their livelihoods.
Context
In Kenya, public participation is a constitutional requirement. County governments, however, are grappling with non-state actors (especially citizens, CSOs and the private sector) who cannot engage effectively on budget preparation, planning, and execution related processes. They are therefore unable to engage effectively, especially when it comes to using data and evidence.
General improvement of data across all the county government departments is necessary.
Video: Nandi Open County
Strategy & approach
The Open County Initiative aims to build internal statistical capacity at the County level through establishing data desks, which are platforms through which users can obtain relevant and actionable data about the county. Such data may include, spatial data, population, sectoral performance, policy targets, budgets, business services and public services.
The Open County initiative comprises components which include:
- The Open County Portal: a set of dashboards that guide county management teams to manage development results more effectively and provide a platform for engaging citizens
- The County Data Desk: a platform through which users can obtain relevant and actionable data about the county and also enable the public, private sector and government to access information for decision making free of charge
- CoG – Maarifa Centre Online Platform: the primary knowledge repository hosted at the Council of Governors, to document and share experiences, innovations and solutions on Kenya’s devolution journey which also allows for online exchanges, peer learning and discussions.
- DevolutionHub: a one-stop-repository for all devolution documents in Kenya that is an easy-to-use platform where the body of knowledge that is developed on devolution can be accessed – not just by the county governments, but also by Civil Society, Private Sector and Individuals.
- Kenya School of Government: a knowledge hub containing information about the various training courses, events and discussions happening at the institution, whose mission is to empower the public service in the thematic areas of Food Security, Universal Health Coverage (both of which form part of the government’s Big Four Agenda) and Executive Leadership.
