Katiba Institute, in partnership with Midrift Hurinet and the County Government of Nakuru, hosted a training on Access to Information (ATI) compliance on 4 February 2025. The training brought together county officials and community representatives and formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance with Access to Information obligations at the county level. The engagement focused on examining the legal framework governing access to information, assessing current compliance trends within Nakuru County, identifying existing gaps, and discussing practical strategies for enhancing transparency and accountability.

Ms. Sylvia Chelogoi, from the Commission on Administrative Justice, made a presentation highlighting the Commission’s mandate, the benefits of the right to access information, and the procedures for enforcement. She urged public officials to demonstrate strong commitment to the implementation of the ATI law and to actively support efforts to promote transparency and accountability.

Status of Implementation

Discussions during the engagement revealed a noticeable shift in attitudes and practices among both citizens and county officials compared to two years ago. There is growing recognition of access to information as a critical governance tool, accompanied by increased willingness from both sides to engage with ATI processes.

Participants demonstrated improved awareness of Article 35 of the Constitution and the Access to Information Act, with several citizens reporting that access to information request letters have already been submitted. County officials showed greater understanding of the law and their obligations, particularly regarding proactive disclosure and the procedures to follow when information is formally requested. Both public officials and citizens also displayed increased awareness of the processes involved in requesting information and the role of the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) as the institution mandated to oversee implementation of the ATI law in Kenya.

Key Challenges Affecting ATI Compliance

Despite the progress recorded, several challenges persist. These include fear among public officials of releasing information without explicit authority, a lingering culture of secrecy, poor and largely non-digitised records management systems, long delays in responding to information requests, limited availability of information in languages accessible to all members of the public, and weak enforcement mechanisms.

Public Engagement and Media Outreach

To further sustain and broaden the conversation on Access to Information compliance, the Katiba Institute team participated in a live radio talk show on Radio Yetu 89.2 FM, a community radio station based in Nakuru with an online presence. The radio engagement provided an opportunity to interact directly with the public and to highlight both the progress made and the challenges that continue to affect implementation of the ATI law in the county. Through this, we were able to respond to critical questions on access to information and the constitution in general.

Outcomes, Learning, and Way Forward

Overall, the engagement demonstrates tangible progress in the implementation of Access to Information in Nakuru County. Participants reported increased institutional awareness, stronger commitment by county officials to comply with ATI obligations, and more deliberate engagement with community actors around access to public information. These developments point to outcome-level changes, including shifts in attitudes, improved coordination, and a growing willingness to review internal systems. While some operational and capacity gaps remain, the direction of change is positive and consistent. With continued learning, follow-up monitoring, and reinforcement of simple compliance and reporting mechanisms, the gains achieved are likely to be sustained and translated into measurable improvements in how citizens access public information and how the county responds to ATI requests.