Kenyans file their returns at the Kenya Revenue Authority tax offices in Mombasa. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NMG
The global concept of making government information more
accessible for public, has had countries
strive embrace technology and implement the concept of e-governance.
strive embrace technology and implement the concept of e-governance.
The uptake of
information, communication and technology (ICTs) immensely contributes
to the development of a seamless understanding of government operations,
which is more participatory, transparent, accountable, auditable,
effective, efficient, communicative, and interactive.
The
bottom-up characteristic of e-governance, enables citizens to become
the main actors of the governance process; whereby they are active
participants rather than passive users. For example, iTax is one of the
services that has streamlined the filling of taxes easing the ordinarily
long queues for all and sundry.
Besides, the
e-citizen portal has transformed the access of most government services
to the citizenry. What is more, this concept is being embraced by the
private sector who are encouraging their clients to transact online.
As such e-governance enhances transparency and accountability, useful for improving civil participation among the citizenry.
Therefore, e-governance systems facilitate the access to
information and communication opportunities as well as serves as a
powerful tool to improve control and transparency and to link people,
organisations, groups, information, and knowledge. Besides, the systems
foster openness of reporting.
For example, government
reports on financial situation, strategic vision, and public policies
are published on institutional websites for public access and feedback.
Secondly
e-governance enhances citizenry participation whereby they are neither
subordinates nor customers; but are perceived as partners in government
and involved in phases of public policy, implying that administrations
are transparent and public information is accessible.
E-governance
increases the transparency in the system and also facilitates decision
making. Through government, citizens are invited to participate in
decision making in some cases and situations. For example, during public
participation of bills, decision making is facilitated by the
government by involving and allowing the citizens in online communities
and e-forums and the citizens can give their recommendations and
suggestions.
This creates a dynamic environments for
government operations. Notably, web 2.0 technologies, improve
participation conditions with citizens as the main actors in the
governing process, users of services and auditors of public agencies,
making citizen participation the most important component in
understanding e-governance.
Lastly, e-governance is an
enabler to citizens’ ability to audit government operations. The use of
ICTs in governance provides ways for citizen access to government
documents available online for feedback.
This provides savings in terms of time and effort consumed in search of documents manually.
Despite
the government efforts to enhance e-governance, with the aim to improve
the living standard of the citizens and to develop business and
employment, there are bottlenecks that have continuously hindered its
uptake.
This may include the lack of awareness among
citizens about e-services and the shortage of workers equipped with
knowledge and technical skills.
Such gaps impede the
progress of the realisation of government agenda in promoting
e-governance. What is more, the inclusivity of the systems leave those
who are disabled at a disadvantaged position whereas this can be seen as
an opportunity to improve upon the systems to accommodate all and
sundry.
Nancy Marangu, via email
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