Government Moves to Strengthen Kenya’s Data Governance Framework

By Hanifa Tamim and Shalphine Mukasia (PCO)

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Kenya as a data-driven economy through the development of a comprehensive National Data Governance Policy, the Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy Eng. John Tanui, said during a public sector stakeholder validation workshop held in Nairobi on February 5th, 2026.

Addressing representatives from government ministries, county governments, the private sector, academia, civil society and development partners, the Principal Secretary noted that data has become one of the country’s most strategic national assets, requiring clear rules, strong institutions and public trust to unlock its full socio-economic value.

The PS observed that Kenya’s current data ecosystem is challenged by fragmented legal frameworks, siloed data systems across government institutions, inconsistent standards and limited capacity in data management and analytics. These gaps, he said, have hindered interoperability, evidence-based decision-making and efficient service delivery.

“The National Data Governance Policy is intended to provide a harmonized, inclusive and ethical framework that treats data as a shared national asset while safeguarding citizens’ rights,” the PS said, adding that the policy aligns with the Constitution, the Data Protection Act of 2019 and the Access to Information Act.

According to the PS, the policy is anchored on key principles including data standardization, the use of single sources of truth, data sovereignty, human-centric governance, secure data sharing and transparency. He emphasized that citizens and businesses should only be required to provide information to government once, after which it would be securely shared across institutions with appropriate safeguards.

The proposed framework also seeks to address emerging risks associated with new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and the Internet of Things by introducing adaptive governance mechanisms, risk-based audits and stronger oversight of automated decision-making systems.

To strengthen coordination, the PS announced plans to establish a National Data Governance and Emerging Technologies Council, which will oversee policy implementation, enforce standards and guide the development of a national data marketplace. The Council will be supported by a strengthened Data Governance Office within the Ministry and a multi-stakeholder steering committee drawn from both state and non-state actors.

Public awareness and capacity building were highlighted as critical pillars of the policy. The PS noted that low data literacy and limited understanding of data rights among citizens have contributed to mistrust and resistance to data sharing. He said the government plans to roll out nationwide data literacy and ethics campaigns, integrate digital skills into education curricula and build the capacity of public officers at both national and county levels.

The validation workshop forms part of an extensive consultation process that has included surveys, town hall meetings, key informant interviews and regional engagements. Feedback from stakeholders will be incorporated before the draft policy is finalized, approved by Cabinet and officially launched later this year.

“The success of this policy depends on collective ownership,” the PS said. “We must work together to build a trusted data ecosystem that supports innovation, protects rights and drives inclusive growth for all Kenyans.”

Implementation of the National Data Governance Policy is expected to begin in July 2026 following its formal adoption.