Kenya’s proposal to monetise non-personal data collected through eCitizen and other State systems should not be treated as a routine revenue measure. It is one of the most important digital governance questions facing the country today.
At first glance, the idea appears reasonable. The government holds large volumes of information that could support research, planning, investment, innovation, and better public services. Properly governed, public-sector data can help universities study social trends, counties plan infrastructure, businesses understand markets, and innovators build solutions in health, transport, agriculture, education, and finance.
Kenya should not fear a data economy. But it must not build one by weakening the very trust that makes digital government possible.
The State holds data because citizens are required to interact with it. People submit information to apply for passports, register businesses, pay taxes, renew licences, seek public services, access education, interact with health systems, and comply with the law. This
This post was originally published on this site.
