Resource Transparency Movement in Kenya

Transparency International

Transparency International produces an annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI), in which all countries are ranked in terms of public sector corruption. In 2012, Kenya ranked 139th out of 174 countries surveyed, with a score of 27 out of a possible 100.

Ibrahim Index

Established in 2006, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation collects data on all African countries to produce the Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG). The IIAG ranks each country on the basis of several factors: safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development. In 2013, Kenya came in 21st place out of 52 African countries, with an average score of 53.6 out of 100. This is an improvement over Kenya's performance in 2012, when it came in 25th place.

Sustainable Integrity

Sustainable Integrity is a research and consultancy organisation based in Germany. At the request of the Ministry of State for the Development of Northern Kenya and other arid Lands and the National Oil Corporation of Kenya, and in collaboration with other governmental bodies, Sustainable Integrity (SI) has conducted a scoping study. The study makes several recommendations to the Kenyan government, as a first step towards introducing a Natural Resource Charter. These recommendations include devising a comprehensive strategy for the governance of petroleum resources, promoting transparency and accountability in all areas of governance, developing the legal framework for negotiating oil contracts, and supporting civil society. As a first step, SI suggests the Kenyan government should re-initiate the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). A national petroleum strategy is necessary to ensure exploration licences are allocated appropriately, the value is accurately assessed and taxed, and the revenue is efficiently managed.

World Bank

Through its affiliated World Bank Institute, the World Bank rates all countries according to its Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGIs). The WGIs assess each country according to their voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption. In 2012 the WGIs placed Kenya below the 50th percentile due to its issues of stability, corruption and the rule of law.

Jamaa Resource Initiatives

Jamaa Resource Initiatives is a Kenyan civil society organisation which promotes public engagement and sustainable resource management. According to Jamaa Resource Initiatives, the Kenyan government needs to go beyond transparency by encouraging public engagement, ensuring budgetary monitoring and promoting minimum standards across the continent.