Responsive Government

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More Openness, Not Less: Why We Must Defend Transparency in a Shrinking Civic Space  

In recent years, the global civic space has been shrinking at an alarming rate. Governments are cutting budgets, laying off staff, and scaling back initiatives that support openness, transparency and accountability. At the same time, restrictions on civil society, the media, and digital freedoms are making it harder for citizens to access information, engage with…

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Reflecting on a Year of Impact and Progress: 2024 Highlights

As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves looking back on an extraordinary year filled with milestones and meaningful moments. Amid the festive buzz and year-end preparations, we’re taking a moment to celebrate, reflect, and appreciate the incredible journey we’ve had. It has been a journey of partnerships, innovation, and transformation, all fueled by…

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Lessons: Transforming Subnational Data Systems

What it takes to Transform Governance Through Data Systems in our experience. Statistical systems—whether from government agencies or non-state actors—form the backbone of a democratic society’s information ecosystem. These systems generate the essential data that shapes economic policies, demographic strategies, and decisions on social and environmental issues. Reliable and accessible data is not merely a…

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5th National Action Plan 2023-2027
National Action Plan V: A Bold Leap Toward Transparency and Citizen-Driven Change

Kenya has embarked on a transformative journey by launching the 5th National Action Plan (NAP V) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP). This is not just another policy initiative—it is a bold leap into a future where governance is transparent, inclusive, and powered by the people’s voices. The sheer ambition of this plan makes it…

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Nandi County’s Data-Driven Revolution: A Model for Effective Service Delivery

For years, the Open Institute has worked diligently to guide counties towards more effective, data-centred decision-making. Our focus has been on equipping local governments with essential tools and expertise, ensuring better resource allocation, stronger policies, and improved public services. In the last two and a half years, our partnership with Nandi and Kilifi counties has…

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Sabasi 2.0
Sabasi is getting bigger and better!

Sabasi, our innovative and simple-to-use data collection tool will be going through a series of upgrades throughout the month of February. It has been exciting to witness the platform’s success, and we are committed to providing our users with the best possible experience. As we grow and thrive together, it is now crucial that we…

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Championing Citizen Generated Data in Kenya in Partnership with KNBS

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) continues to lead the way in championing Citizen Generated Data in Kenya. On 22nd November the KNBS inaugurated their Technical Working Committee on Citizen-Generated Data (CGD) to strengthen stakeholder collaboration in adoption of quality CGD as an alternative source of data for official reporting where data gaps exist,…

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Towards Africa’s GDPR?

Africa, with its tapestry of cultures and a history as old as time itself, is now amid a digital awakening. Stepping into the data era with purpose, it’s time we asked ourselves, “How do we take control of our digital narrative?” Multinational corporations are setting up the data rules—much like someone else dictating how we…

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