Africanising the Open Government Partnership

 My take-aways from the OGP Africa regional forum

The government of Kenya recently hosted the first ever OGP regional forum in Africa. The event aimed to establish guidelines for OGP activities for African countries; track and take stock of progress on the agenda to date and to strategise how to Africanise the global OGP movement further. It attracted a range of delegates from across the continent involved and interested in the pursuit of open governance - government representatives, civil society actors, academia, the media, private sector, and multilateral institutions (see link for details).

“OGP will be real, only when it starts to make sense to the citizens out there” 

(Robert Hunja – World Bank)

Open governance is built on the principle of the universal right to access to information on the conduct of government and places its value in enhancing effective public oversight. It aims to open up government affairs, (previously and normatively kept secret) to make it easier to scrutinise public officers, identify and hold them to account. The argument is that access to government information enhances public participation and facilitates the audit of government actions. The Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a new multilateral global governance and transparency initiative incepted in 2011. It aims to secure commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens and harness new technologies to strengthen governance. The OGP outlines a set of principles augmented by a declaration that form the basis of the open government.  To date 45 countries (three African) have endorsed the declaration, 11 others (two African) are currently processing commitments and many more across the globe working towards attaining eligibility.

At the heart of the event was the question of how different partners could together put in place a strategy to strengthen open governance in the continent and bring forth an African perspective to the global OGP movement. Participants shared their experiences in the push for open and transparent institutions accountable to the people and brainstormed ideas on how the global OGP could respond. Discussions focused on: the role of big data, public statistics, analytics and technology in improving service delivery; managing extractive industries to ensure processes are open, transparent, participatory and accountable; and how to leverage technology and the media to bolster citizen engagement and enhance public integrity. Key issues emerging from the discussions included:

• Inadequate understanding of the concept of open governance in Africa
• The impact of the technocratic language often used by OGP practitioners and how it fails to resonate with people at local level
• The lack of engagement amongst African leaders/governments and failure to share experiences 
• The absence of strong champions for the agenda
•  The apparent overlap in governance monitoring mechanisms (OGP, African Union and United Nations, African Peer Review Mechanism etc ) and how this could be stifling progress
• The need to explore both supply and demand side issues in scaling up OGP
• The quality of information coming forth through existing open governance platforms
• The inadequate engagement of African legislatures and private sector who have great influence, political muscle and interest in good governance in the continent.

 

Civil Society – Government disconnect

Participants made the point that success of the OGP depends largely on trust and cooperation between government and civil society. Nonetheless, deliberations over the two day conference illustrated the clear tension between government and CSOs that must be addressed if we are to achieve meaningful progress.

There is currently a clear disconnect between the motivations, intentions and expectations of civil society and that of government despite both working towards the common good of the citizen. Much work related to open governance appears to be taking place in silos with little coordination, mutual awareness and strategy.  Though the need for effective partnerships between government and CSOs was emphasised, participants cautioned against very cosy relationships that create complacency and that could potentially jeopardise the watchdog role played by civil society.

 

“The era of sloganeering, CSO obstruction, political activism is gone [...] CSOs must reorient and repackage their engagement with government [... they] must begin to perceive themselves as partners with government” – (Fred Matiang’i, Cabinet Secretary for ICT – Kenya)

The African OGP steering committee must support states and civil society to collaborate with sufficient space for objective and constructive CSO monitoring and feedback in the role of ‘critical friend’. This will ensure better delivery and further progress in open governance.

  

Transforming commitments into action

It is encouraging that three African states are already members of the OGP, two others are processing commitments and a couple of others are eligible and looking to submit applications for membership. However, real success of the OGP will depend on implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the action plans developed by participating countries. Otherwise OGP membership risks being viewed as an end (utilised to score political mileage in the global political economy) rather than a means towards a greater goal of actualising good governance; transparent and accountable government institutions.

The OGP support unit must play an active role in monitoring participants to ensure they invest sufficiently in open governance, set realistic goals in their action plans, implement and accurately report on progress. Further, it must .safeguard against monopolisation of the process by government (capable of overstating progress and being overambitious in planning) and minimising dialogue between CSOs and government The African experience must, in turn, inform the wider movement.  

    

The 14% minimum wage announcement on Labour Day just reveals the folly of the man in charge 

No country with unemployment rates higher than 25% can afford the luxuries of 'minimum wage'. Increasing the minimum wage does not make economic sense for a third world economy with over 45% poverty, 40% unemployment, and without substantive government revenues.

Frankly, the government of Kenya does not have the economic muscle to invest in public works projects that can then allow them to dictate wages. They must negotiate effectively with the private sector and trade unions in order to have a workable formula. In principle the 14%, thrashed down the throats of the private sector will in the long run crowd out investment and exacerbate unemployment.

The typical urban poor should not rejoice in the 14% announcement. Why? This is nothing more than populist PR stunts that will neither increase employment nor improve the conditions of existing ones. See, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers already expressed their dissatisfaction and  I won’t be surprised if KEPSA follow suit.

What you need to address unemployment especially for the young, average skilled or semi-skilled is labour intensive manufacturing like in apparel making (shoes, clothing etc) or electrical and electronics. These require little skill. Employers can thus afford to absorb a lot of labour (at a cheaper cost) while still managing to maintain sufficient turnovers. When you dictate the minimum wage – you simply telling these folks and the many others looking to come invest in Kenya to move elsewhere. The options are many. What such investors need is a cheap labour and a conducive business environment  - that is precisely what those in government should busy themselves with; not unilateral populist announcements.

Mr. President Sir, that decision is bad for business, bad for investment, bad for national income, bad for unemployment and bad for poverty reduction. What you need is an effective tri-partite mutual agreement between government, private sector and trade unions to meaningfully improve wages while still maintaining an attractive, competitive business/investment environment in Kenya.

Okwarohztake:  That 14% announcement just reveals the folly of the man in charge

The Judiciary demands justice from Kenyans. How absurd?

It is a pity that the Chief Justice of the republic of Kenya, is now too worried about sentiments of Kenyans on the conduct of the Judiciary to the extent that he has contemplated libel litigation. 

Is this the same Mutunga that many Kenyans defended tooth and neck (with all his sneaky paraphernalia) in appreciation of his skill, education and resolve to transform the legal landscape, promote justice and enhance democracy in Kenya?

Of all the people, Dr Willy Mutunga should be the most worried about the pertinent issues Kenyans are raising about the handling of the Presidential election petition that he presided over. For me, what should worry Mutunga most is the fear of the loss of the little optimism and faith Kenyans were gradually developing in the country's otherwise 'legitimacy and credibility bankrupt Judiciary'. 

Instead of facing these issues soberly and with the seriousness they deserve. The CJ has flipped the coin and put Kenyans on the receiving end. Now: 'THE JUDICIARY DEMANDS JUSTICE FROM KENYANS! How awkward? Read this epistle from Dr Willy Mutunga http://on.fb.me/12TIkIc. 

Of all the agenda 4 items on the transformation of Kenya after the 2007/08 Post Election Violence - the Judiciary remained the beacon of hope (I’d like to believe it still is) in terms of progress. 

Dear Mutunga, kindly, do not serve Kenyans with another activist public servant like PLO Lumumba did. The stature of your job and the perks that come with it obviate the plethora of comfortabilites and nicities that you are demanding. Yours is a hard job, to deliver a reformed judiciary to thankless Kenyans at a time when the country is most polarised. Quit whining and provide answers to the errors and omissions that we have 'accepted and moved on' about. Deliver us a credible judiciary.

Otherwise some Kenyans will resign to the knowledge that the many we hold with high regard before appointment  - the likes of Kivuitu, PLO, Isaak Hassan etc, will perform dismally, screw us up and turn up to blame and spit on us for their ineptitude. This is a big test on MERITOCRACY Sir. 

The folly of a ‘non-nation’

Dear Kenyan on social media,

Yes, you there, super-sharing those pictures of Raila, Uhuru, Kalonzo and Ruto at statehouse. Here is free counsel, in African politics (actually all polities) there is no such thing as a truce, just episodes and interludes of re-strategising, undercutting, callousness, malice and 'smile-angering'. 

If you believe those 4 politicians giggling like sorority girls in front of statehouse, you are the fool. It will take way more than handshakes and smiles to meaningfully make Kenya the one nation we desire - maybe we have never been at all (goodness me). 

After all didn’t Kibaki and Raila shake hands and have tea in front of Harambee House in 2008 after presiding over the killing of over 1000 Kenyans and displacement of hundreds of thousand others? Didn’t we still end up with two nations baying for each other’s blood in 2013? 

'Move on' (this is officially a swear word around me) if you like, disregard the serious deficiencies of nationalism that we face today, sweep them under the carpet ... but be sure we will be back at it soon, back to fire fighting - once stuff has exploded. Kenyans never disappoint. 

Many thanks
Okwaroh

2008

2013

Taking over the African narrative

 What I said at the Africacounts round table in Kampala, Uganda

In Africa today, interesting and indeed intriguing processes and events are unfolding that are gradually but profoundly shaping the conduct of the political economy and developmental trajectories of the continent. These present significant prospects and challenges for the regions prosperity and stability

Economic growth: Today, Africa is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Uganda’s economy grew at an average 7% annually throughout the past decade (1999 – 2011).  Ghana, Nigeria, Angola, Kenya are now some of the hottest growth markets in the globe. Africa is positioning herself as the 21stC go to investment paradise. The number of investors flocking departments of trade and industry, energy, and finance in Mozambique, Angola, Tanzania, Kenya, South Sudan and many other African states is testimony to that reality.

Emerging global market: In terms of demographics, Africa is now home to a huge dynamic population; an expanding middleclass with substantive purchasing power and increasing consumerism. Africa is emerging as a global market that can no longer be overlooked.

Governance: We have made great progress towards accountability and good governance. Several Sub-Saharan countries are reforming their governance systems and inching towards effective constitutionalism, rule of law, open governance, citizen participation, transparency and accountability. Kenya is testing the products of institutional reform in the past five year; Rwanda is reaping the benefits of good governance; and South Sudan is on course towards building a strong state buttressed by modern day democratic institutions. African states are increasingly experiencing civilised political transitions and a new generation of African leaders are stepping up to change the facade of Africa’s political economy. These are developments that cannot be overlooked!

Internalising our externalities: Gradually, African states are recognising the value of maximising the advantages of pooling their sovereignty and moving towards supplying regional public goods. Different states West, South and East of Africa are courageously confronting the challenges and demands for regional cooperation, and are making encouraging progress, delicately weaving the wafts and wefts towards achieving ‘African-multilateralism’ based on the appreciation of the mutual benefits of internalising our externalities.

Closer home, East Africa is making giant strides toward strengthening the East African Common Market Protocol and pushing for higher stakes in the East African Community. The discovery of oil and gas in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania positions East Africa as one of the largest gas producers in Africa and a major global player in oil production in subsequent decades.  However continued conflict and political instability amongst the region’s neighbour’s remains a challenge. State fragility in South Sudan, delicate transition in Ethiopia, insurgencies in the DRC and the Somali crisis ... Moreover, there still persists a lingering spectre of poverty: East Africa has nearly 73% of the population in multidimensional poverty and is home to some of the world’s poorest nations, Burundi for example.

Taking charge: It is time to take charge of the African narrative and it begins with shaping the objects of the story. As we demand that Africa gets its fair share of attention and participation in global governance discourses, we must equally endeavour as states and as individuals to invest substantively producing evidence – new knowledge and using it to inform and shape our engagements between citizens, policy makers, media, civil society and academia. Africa must take an account of our resource endowments, recognise our challenges and appreciate the progress we’ve made. This must be effectively communicated to the globe – that Africans are capable and indeed ready to confront their ills and chart a sustainable path towards restoring our dignity and claiming our fair share of the earth.  

PLEASE ASK KENYANS TO GET OUT AND VOTE ON Monday March 4^th 2013

Hi

My name is Kenneth Okwaroh Ochieng. Also Known As Okwaroh Ja’Paprombe on face book. I blog at Okwarohztake. I have a thousand plus friends on facebook, I follow many noble and interesting people on twitter and they follow me as well. I have over 300 connections on linked in, and have close to a thousand people in my circles on Google plus. I have travelled the world and met awesome people, made friends, classmates, workmates ...

Folks am afraid but I have to do this. It is the least I can do to my country right now. My country Kenya is at cross roads. We are less than 24 hours into an extremely important general election. An election that demands of us to deal with a problematic past and juggle the promises and challenges that the future holds. It boils down to folks getting out as many a possible to VOTE. To vote enough to enable us distinguish a clear winner. Going by opinion polls that have run in the past 3 months – it is a neck-to-neck race pitting two arch rivals with strong personal and emotive opposing opinions that is cannon fodder for violence and ethnic animosity.  Our people are reeling from the aftermath of the 2007 general election when unfortunate events led to peace-loving citizens taking arms against one another, killing over 1000 innocent people, displacing over half a million from their homes, destroying property worth trillions and crippling an economy that was in the path towards double digit growth.

I am writing to ask you that PLEASE, if you know a Kenyan, if you have any one of them in your networks (facebook, twitter, linkedin, Google+, foursquare, badoo, etc) - PLEASE ask them to get out on Monday 4th March and VOTE. If they are out there in the Diaspora, kindly ask them to spread this message to their constituencies.

Africa must indeed live up to its true potential. It begins with having civilised political transitions. We need Kenyans to get out and VOTE because if they don’t, we are headed into a RUN-OFF that is bound to be too costly in terms of resources and in terms of undermining the progress we have made in the difficult past 5 years reforming our institutions, reengineering our nationhood and building a responsive 21^st century state.

We have already expended way above our means as a nation in real investment towards reforming the electoral process, the judiciary and internal security regime. The campaigns alone have been perversely expensive and have had significant impact on the economy already.

A run-off puts Kenya in a one month limbo when everything and anything could happen. It is appreciably an uneasy calm and we are doing our best to preach peace - but the run-off will sure ignite emotions, tension and will polarise Kenya in unprecedented measures.

As a nation we have brokered peace around the world -  in South Sudan, spearheaded the renaissance of Somalia and are a beacon of regional stability, political tranquillity and economic prosperity in the East African region. Kenya calls on you to at least return a favour at this moment of need. 

If you love Kenya - 1) Our beautiful sceneries – the great Mount Kenya, our cosy beaches in Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi; 2) Our rich heritage – the lion daring Maasai; 3) Our beautiful city in the Sun Nairobi where life never stops; 4) Our thrilller rugby 7s team, 5) our resillient athletes. If you love Peace, If you want prosperity and stability in East Africa, Africa and the world. 

PLEASE ASK KENYANS TO GET OUT AND VOTE ON Monday March 4^th 2013.

Thank you. Yours truly

Okwaroh Ja’ paprombe

And please if you do not like my message, be the gentleman or lady and just overlook it

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