Nation Correspondent
1 July 2009
Nairobi — Pressure is mounting on President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to speed up the enactment of the Freedom of Information law as a way of enhancing transparency in the government.
The International Committee of Jurists has teamed up with local musicians to put pressure on the government and sensitise Kenyans on the proposed law.
When the two principals signed the agreement for the implementation of the Waki report last year, they pledged to mobilise parliamentary support for the enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill 2008.
The law seeks to repeal the Official Secrets Act (Cap 187) and allow access to information from government offices.
Difficulties
Speaking at a launch of Mteja, a song by local musicians depicting difficulties encountered by citizens in accessing information, ICJ director George Kegoro said the law would open up the government to public scrutiny.
He gave an example of the United Kingdom where several MPs have resigned after the public demanded that they disclose how they had been using money given to them.
Mteja, is a collaboration done by musicians Wahu, Kanji, Juliani, Wenyenji, Roba and Lin.
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