Archives and records management in Kenya: problems and prospects (original) (raw)
Related papers
2007
The article presents the findings of a study which examined the role of Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service (KNADS) in the management of records in 18 government ministry headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Data was collected (in 2005) through questionnaires sent out to 157 registry staff, and through interviews conducted with 10 senior government officers and six archive personnel from Nairobi Records Centre and KNADS headquarters. The research findings revealed that, even though KNADS provided records management advice to government departments, the record creating agencies did not adequately implement this advice. The study established that KNADS faced various challenges in providing records management advice to government departments and that this may compromise public service delivery and the effective management of government information. The chal-lenges that were identified included: inadequate human and financial resources, lack of support from senior government of...
National Archives and the effective Management of Public Sector Records in Kenya
2007
The article presents the findings of a study which examined the role of Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service (KNADS) in the management of records in 18 government ministry headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Data was collected (in 2005) through questionnaires sent out to 157 registry staff, and through interviews conducted with 10 senior government officers and six archive personnel from Nairobi Records Centre and KNADS headquarters. The research findings revealed that, even though KNADS provided records management advice to government departments, the record creating agencies did not adequately implement this advice. The study established that KNADS faced various challenges in providing records management advice to government departments and that this may compromise public service delivery and the effective management of government information. The chal- lenges that were identified included: inadequate human and financial resources, lack of support from senior government o...
Navigating the Kenya National Archives: Research and its Role in Kenyan Society
History in Africa, 2005
Situated at the edge of the central business district in downtown Nairobi, the Kenya National Archives (KNA) is a reservoir and living example of historical and ethnographic knowledge. Straddling the boundary between “tourist” Nairobi and “real” Nairobi, the KNA inhabits a space that transcends both function and class in a cosmopolitan, urban setting. The archives look out on the landmark Hilton Hotel, together with the swarms of up-market tourists and wealthy locals it attracts. On the…
ROLE OF ARCHIVES AND DOCUMENTATION SERVICES IN PROTECTING CITIZENS RIGHT IN KENYA
The title of this study suggests that records and archives form an essential and significant part in protecting citizen's right in Kenya as a nation's information resources, and that Programme for their management and use are, or should be, integral parts of protecting citizen's right. This study sought to explore KNA$DS: its departments, services, citizens' right and role of archives in protecting it.
2014
First and foremost I wish to thank God for the good health and his grace without which I would have not completed this project on time. The completion of this work was made possible due to assistance, encouragement, constructive criticism, prayers and guidance of the following people, my father Mr. John Abuki and my mother Elmelda Abuki whose selfless support, love and support have been my main inspiration, their continued encouragement being my main push in other times I almost wanted to give up. I owe the success of this project to my supervisor Dr. Charles Nzivo and Dr. Grace Irura who tirelessly read my work, provided their very helpful constructive criticism and relentlessly pushed me throughout the entire process. I would also like to acknowledge the help accorded to me in form of support, encouragement and provision of information materials made available to me courtesy of University of Nairobi department of Library and Information Sciences without which I would have been stuck. The support of my lecturers was immense during my undertaking of the course and the project. I cannot fully mention everyone who offered me support or assistance but I will say thank you to those mentioned and those that have not been mentioned. Thank you and God bless you.
Management of Archives in Public Universities of Kenya, Kisii University
2018
This study sought to establish the management of archives in Kisii University, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive survey design. The target population was the staffs of the registry department at Kisii University. Primary data was collected with aid of questionnaires with all members of the staff selected as respondents in a census method of data collection. Qualitative approach was used to present, analyze and interpret the data. The findings of the study revealed that there was no policy guiding the management of archives in the University. The study concluded that archives management has not been given a professional approach.
Records Management Journal, 2018
The study aims to establish the records management practice, in support of governance in Nyamira County. The objectives were to determine the types of records managed in Nyamira County, to establish the contribution of records management in the running of Nyamira County, to determine the adoption of records management policies in Nyamira County and to assess strategies that will lead to sound records management in Nyamira County. The sample population comprised 27 respondents who were drawn from different categories of staff through census sampling as follows: 4 records officers, 3 record clerks, 10 chief officers and 10 secretaries. The study used a qualitative research approach where interview schedules and observation were used for data collection. It was established that Nyamira County generated various types of records including policy related records, financial records and auditing records. It was submitted that records management is essential in support of governance as it forms a basis for equity in resource distribution, hence fostering confidence among the public, which results in good will from the people on County government projects. The study noted various challenges including inadequately trained staff on records management, lack of records disposal and retention schedules, inadequate equipment and space and inadequate policies and standards. The study concluded that poor records management practiced in Nyamira County was a great hindrance to good governance and recommended that county governments should formulate and implement records management policies, standards and guidelines and provide adequate budgetary allocations to ensure that the records management practice that is in place supports governance.
Electronic records management strategies by government agencies in Kenya
Record and Library Journal, 2019
Background of the study: With the advancement in technology, government agencies generate, receive or use records in electronic formats. There is need to develop appropriate strategies to manage these electronic records effectively. An electronic records management strategy must be aligned to the agency's legal mandate as well as reflect best records management practices and technological options. Purpose: This chapter explores the extent to which government agencies in Kenya apply electronic records management strategies in regard to legal framework, long-term preservation, metadata, file naming and file formats, and digital media storage. Method: Additional data was collected through a review of relevant literature. The data was analysed and presented using descriptive statistics. Findings: The findings indicate that the Government of Kenya recognises electronic records as valuable. The study leading to this chapter was conducted as an online survey through which data was collected from records managers working in 90 government agencies who are members of the Network of Library & Information Professionals in Kenya. The link to the online questionnaire, hosted on Google Forms, was circulated through the network's administrator. 38 officers successfully filled the forms. Conclusion: It has developed and deployed several policies and legislation to enhance the management and use of electronic records for posterity. However, the government lacks facilitative structural and budgetary provisions to implement these effectively.