This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On July 23, 2019, the Nation Media Group (NMG) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA-Kenya) and Hivos East Africa to establish an online open contracting portal.
The portal, which will support media story linkages, data-backed storytelling, and access to information for research, is expected to play a major watchdog role in promoting transparency and accountability in public resource management.
Speaking during the signing of the MoU, NMG Editorial Director Mutuma Mathiu noted that the platform will enable the public to interrogate government decisions on public procurement.
“This partnership will entrench the Group’s mission of positively transforming society by promoting transparency and accountability in public resource management,” said Mr Mathiu.
IEA Kenya CEO Kwame Owino emphasized that public expenditure management remains a challenge in Kenya, and the portal will provide a better understanding of the matter.
“Through scrutiny and disclosure, we expect that the deliberate infractions of procurement law will be evident and [we will] expose to Kenyans that we must demand for all public officers to be better stewards of the public treasure,” said Mr Owino.
