Journalists drawn from different regions across the country convened on 26 May 2026 for a masterclass on Access to Information (ATI) hosted by the Media Council of Kenya, where Katiba Institute underscored the critical role of transparency laws in strengthening investigative journalism and expanding democratic accountability. 

During the training, Kevin Mabonga, Head of Communications and Knowledge Management at Katiba Institute, took participants through the constitutional and legal foundations of the right to access information in Kenya, highlighting its significance as a tool for public interest reporting. 

Mabonga explained that the right to access information is guaranteed under Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya as a direct response to Kenya’s historical challenges of opacity in governance and limited public accountability. He noted that the constitutional provision is operationalised through key laws, including the Access to Information Act, 2016, the County Governments Act, the Urban Areas and Cities Act, the Public Finance Management Act, and the Public Service (Values and Principles) Act, alongside county-specific ATI legislation. 

He further emphasised that access to information is central to the realisation of constitutional values such as transparency, accountability, public participation, consumer protection, fair rights, and responsive public service. 

A key focus of the session was reactive and proactive disclosure, with journalists taken through the process of seeking information and categories of information public institutions are required to publish, including their functions, decision-making procedures, salary structures, operational guidelines, and records held by the institution. This information is provided in the Access to Information Act. 

The session also examined landmark court decisions that continue to shape ATI jurisprudence in Kenya. Mabonga highlighted the recent Court of Appeal decision ordering disclosure of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) contracts, describing it as a major victory for transparency and public accountability. He noted that the ruling reaffirmed that public expenditure cannot be shielded behind broad claims of confidentiality or national security without lawful justification. 

Other notable cases discussed included Khalifa & Another v Principal Secretary, Ministry of Transport & Others, Nairobi Law Monthly Company Ltd v Kenya Electricity Generating Company & Others, and Katiba Institute v Presidents Delivery Unit & 3 Others, all of which reinforce the court’s interpretation of Article 35. 

Mr. Mabonga underscored that ATI lessons are essential for journalists because they strengthen investigative reporting, improve factual accuracy, enhance accountability reporting, and equip media practitioners with practical tools to challenge unlawful denials of information. 

“Access to information empowers journalists to move beyond surface-level reporting and produce fact-driven stories that hold public institutions accountable,” he said. 

Also speaking during the training, Victor Bwire, Director of Media Training and Development at Media Council of Kenya, challenged journalists to proactively utilise access to information laws, describing ATI as an indispensable tool for quality journalism. 

Mr. Bwire reminded participants that access to information is not merely a domestic legal principle but is anchored in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reinforcing its place as a fundamental democratic right. 

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen journalists’ capacity to leverage legal tools for transparency, accountability, and public interest storytelling in Kenya.