FOI NETWORK
ICJ-Kenya

PETITION TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

PURSUANT TO THE PARLIMENTARY STANDING ORDERS NUMBER 163

We the undersigned citizens of Kenya and the Freedom of Information Network members humbly petition as follows:-

1. The National Assembly to pass The Freedom of Information Bill, 2007. The Bill was published in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 44 (Bills No. 18) of 2007 on 27th April 2007 pursuant to a motion unanimously approved by the House on 18th October 2006. The Bill was tabled for first reading on 17th May 2007 and the Departmental Committee on Energy Communications and Public Works discussed it on 3rd- 6th June 2006 with stakeholders invited. The report of the Departmental Committee was tabled before the House on 15th August 2007. The Bill is awaiting consideration by the Committee of the Whole House and the Third Reading.
2. Freedom of information is a fundamental human right protected under Section 79 of the Constitution of Kenya that will facilitate enjoyment of all other rights.
3. The Freedom of Information Bill, 2007 when enacted will usher a culture of openness, transparency and accountability in Kenya that will spur economic development and promote effective participatory democracy for all Kenyans.
4. This Bill will enable access to information in the possession of the Government and public authorities and will establish systems and processes that promote proactive publication and dissemination of information stemming the culture of official secrecy and opaqueness.
5. The Bill is urgent as poverty, insecurity, disease, unemployment, famine, corruption and mal-administration continue to thrive in Kenya due to lack of free flow of information from government and public authorities to the citizens.
6. The National Assembly will propel Kenya into a democratic, accountable, corruption free, open and secure, African tiger through passage of the Freedom of Information Bill 2007.

THEREFORE your petitioners most humbly call upon the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information Bill, 2007

DATED at NAIROBI this 6th day of September 2007

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION NETWORK STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (Leading the FOI Network)
Kenya Human Rights Commission
Transparency International – Kenya
Institute for Law and Environmental Governance - Kenya
Media Council of Kenya
African Women’s Development & Communication Network
FAHAMU
Legal Resources Foundation
Kenya Correspondents Association
Association of Media Women in Kenya
Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association
Centre for Law and Research International
Name and Shame Corruption Networks Campaign