Speaker
Description
Governments and organisations globally have developed legislations and regulations governing records management in general and specific contexts. However, such laws and regulations often fail to adequately address the management of records in digital environments. This study sought to examine legal and regulatory frameworks governing digital archives in selected public universities in Kenya, with a view to establishing the extent of compliance in order to enhance digital archiving practices in the institutions. The study was guided by three objectives, namely to identify the legal and regulatory frameworks governing digital archives management (DAM) in Kenyan public universities, determine the level of awareness and understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing DAM in Kenyan public universities, and establish the effectiveness of the identified legislative and regulatory frameworks in the management of digital archives. The underpinning model for this study was the Archives and Records Management Association (ARMA) Records Management Maturity model. A qualitative research approach and multiple case study design were adopted, and data collection was undertaken using face-to-face interviews. Purposive sampling was used to select 205 participants from six public universities in Kenya. Saturation points were reached after interviewing 29 participants in the category of Archivists, Records Managers and Records Officers, and 39 ICT Directors and ICT staff. Additionally, six legal officers were interviewed, and a total of 74 participants were interviewed. Among other findings, the study established that the Public Archives and Documentation Services Act (CAP 19) of the Laws of Kenya (2012) was the primary law guiding the management of public sector records and archives in Kenya. Subsequently, the study concluded that legislative and regulatory frameworks governing digital archives in the institutions were deficient and required rigorous review, design and implementation. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya should fast-track the review of the Public Archives and Documentation Services Act.
