Win for whistleblowers, media as MPs approve Access to Information Bill

Vice chairperson of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Priscilla Nyokabi, is the sponsor of the Bill which now heads to President Uhuru Kenyatta for review. (Photo: File/Standard)

The National Assembly Thursday approved the Access to Information Bill which allows the public to seek for any information from government, and obligates public servants to make sure they provide that information, or risk hefty fines or jail terms.

If the government refuses to grant the information, or hides some of the information through redaction or if the public servant asked for specific information charges exorbitant fees, or gives stale information and refuses to update, then the public can report the matter to the Commission on Administrative Justice for review and enforcement orders.