The Kenya association for records managers and archivists (KARMA) want the government to collaborate with stakeholders in the data and records management industry to explore ways to fully exploit potentials of the digital economy.
Speaking during the 6th records and archivist management conference in Mombasa, KARMA Chairperson Cleophas Ambira said that the role that the digital economy and records managers play was critical for the sustenance of the momentum the world has gained as it transitions towards full digitization.
He noted that the digital economy is driven by data and information systems that are functional and key to records management.
Ambira added that the policy and legal framework around records management should be streamlined in order to deal with overriding challenges ranging from infrastructure constraints to standardization of the records management sector.
“There are challenges arising from the whole policy and legal framework in records management which bring about limitations in infrastructure to support the right technology in terms of correct software and applications coupled by challenges of standardization of the industry.” Said Ambira.
He also noted that with over one hundred standards supporting management of information countrywide, domestication of these standards will go a long way in creating uniformity to efficiently manage records and archival material.
On data and records security, Director Shared Service, ICT Authority, Michael Odhiambo said that in support of records management, data and cyber security is a key priority of the government.
He added that the government and stakeholders have joined to have concerted efforts to ensure that cyber and data security is enhanced in order for records management to flourish.
“Cyber security is an area that the government is taking with the seriousness it deserves. The ICT Authority, the ministry of ICT and the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) have come together to build a robust cyber security environment that can allow for records management to thrive.” said Odhiambo.
Secretary Administration State Department for Culture and Heritage, Henry Obino urged for public discourse in the conversation surrounding records management in order for the government to set up additional mechanisms that will appraise the sector.
KARMA is a non-profit making organization registered in October 2010 with the aim of organizing, representing and acting as the professional body for persons working in or interested in records and archives management and to govern members in all matters of professional practice.
The association also fosters and promotes education, research, training and invention in records and archives management through partnering with public and private institutions. It draws its membership from records managers and archivists in public and private institutions.