Relaunching the Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure

Abstract

Despite a history of more than 15 years, the Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure had largely stagnated in 2016. The national geoportal, often regarded as the face of a Spatial Data Infrastructure, was not even accessible. Unlike most studies that concentrate on the status of Spatial Data Infrastructures, this study proposes a framework and roadmap for relaunching the Kenyan initiative. It reviews the history, status, and achievements of the Kenya National Spatial Data Infrastructure and then presents an elaboration of the gaps and areas for improvement. Lastly, the study proposes a roadmap for relaunching the initiative that takes into account the institutional and technical framework, the role of coordination, a plan, and its budget. Due to its weak status, the study recommends that Kenya should relaunch the initiative by allocating and developing financial and human resources, developing the legal, policy, and technical framework, and seeking political support.