Government of Kenya open data initiative
True? "When information which properly belongs to the public is systematically withheld by those in power, the people soon become ignorant of their own affairs, distrustful of those who manage them, and eventually-incapable of determining their destinies." President Richard Nixon 1972
Data requests
Data Views
Open Data makes it easier to search, find and compare data
Health facilities in Kenya
Eduweb.co.ke uses open data to help parents find schools
Datasets available KCPE & KCSE Exam results Local authorities, ministries expenditure and spending Community Development Fund (geo-mapped) National Census (by age) 2009 Schools and Health Facilities (geo-mapped) Poverty rates by county 2005/6 Livestock population
Electricity distribution in provinces
Statistics of opendata.go.ke 200+ datasets at launch 340+ datasets as of Nov 2011 430+ datasets as of August 2012 5,700+ dataset downloaded and embedded to various websites and blogs
Statistics of opendata.go.ke
Is there demand for data?
Why do we need raw data?
Where is this data useful? Who will use the data?
Challenges of Open Data -The Data Hugging Syndrome -Lack of the Freedom of Information Act ("In the freedom of information laws, governments are typically bound by duty to publish and promote openness") -Slow digitization policies -Lack of trust and the culture of openness -Lack of an informed citizenry
Risks of Open Data -Privacy and not making the data anonymous enough. -Other Laws eg the Official Secrecy Act that binds civil servants from giving away government data
Thank you facebook.com/KenyaOpenData