Archives and records management in Kenya: problems and prospects

Abstract

The Kenya National Archives and Documentation Services is seen as a success story by many other African archival institutions. The Department has made major strides in developing records services, opening five regional centres and partially automating most of its finding aids. However, as this article indicates, major aspects of managing public sector records remain chaotic and regulations governing the management and disposal of public records are flouted by many Civil Servants. The article concludes by suggesting that the time has now come for the National Archives to focus on the management of the entire life cycle of records rather than managing only the preservation stage.