Kenya’s Parliament embraces data-driven governance at high-level IDinsight-led Forum

IDinsight, in partnership with Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association and the Parliamentary Research Services hosted a high-level panel event with key stakeholders seeking to strengthen data-driven governance in Kenya’s Parliament. 

At a time when Kenya is grappling with high youth unemployment, digital transformation, gender inequality, and growing pressure on health and education systems, the call for evidence-based legislation has never been more urgent. On June 5th, 2025, Parliamentarians, researchers, civil society, and development partners came together at the Sarova Stanley Hotel in Nairobi to answer that call.

The event, jointly hosted by the Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association (KEWOPA), Parliamentary Research Services (PRS), and IDinsight, marked a collective step toward transforming Kenya’s legislative process into one driven by evidence, inclusivity, and impact.

From assumptions to evidence

In her opening address, Hon Mary Emasse, representing KEWOPA Chairperson Hon. Leah Sankaire, underscored the growing demand for policies that reflect Kenya’s realities and aspirations, not assumptions.

“Our work must be grounded not just in values and vision, but also in verifiable evidence,” Hon. Sankaire stated in the remarks read by Hon. Emasse. “The most powerful form of evidence is that which leads to real change in people’s lives.”

She highlighted that in areas like health, education, social protection, and digital access, data is essential. For example, while education funding surpasses KSh 630 billion annually, disparities remain, especially for girls and marginalized learners. Closing such gaps, she argued, requires disaggregated data and robust analysis that Parliament can act upon.

The clerk’s office backs the shift

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Jeremiah Ndombi, Ms Vane Akama, Director of Parliamentary Legal Services, emphasized Parliament’s commitment to institutionalizing evidence use across its legislative processes.

“Every motion debated and every question raised in Parliament must ideally be anchored in credible, timely, and context-relevant evidence,” she said. “Our decisions become more strategic, and our accountability more robust when we legislate from a position of knowledge.”

He noted that IDinsight, in partnership with PRS since June 2024, has already trained parliamentary staff and researchers, strengthening internal capacities to analyze and apply evidence to real-world legislative issues.

Beyond data, toward institutional culture change

Members of Parliament reiterated that data and evidence are abundant and mostly accessible, but political pressure and party affiliations have had undue influence over policy and decision making. Panelists and stakeholders agreed that while access to data is critical, building a culture of evidence use within Parliament is even more important.  This includes strengthening the capacities of PRS, committee secretariats, and legislators to turn data into policy insights. It also means ensuring findings are timely, actionable, and understandable—delivered in formats that can be used within the fast-moving timelines of parliamentary work.

Dr. Nyawira Gitahi of IDinsight highlighted common barriers to evidence use and laid out practical mechanisms to overcome them. These included ongoing data briefings for committees, stronger researcher-legislator relationships, and formalized peer mentorship among MPs.

Bridging sectors, elevating voices

Importantly, this wasn’t just a technical discussion. Participants emphasized that evidence-based policymaking is a governance, gender, and justice issue. Without deliberate inclusion, marginalized voices—especially women, youth, and underserved regions—risk being excluded from critical decisions.

The forum also encouraged Parliament to explore technological tools such as AI and big data to support smarter, more inclusive governance.

A shared commitment

By the end of the day, commitments had been made:

• Parliamentarians pledged to embed evidence in their daily work and mentor their peers.
  
• Researchers committed to making their work more accessible and policy-relevant. “We are ready to provide the evidence and help you synthesize it for use as legislators – even pro-bono” stated Prof. Osur, Vice Chancellor at AMREF University. 
• All stakeholders agreed to deepen partnerships that strengthen Kenya’s evidence ecosystems.
  

“Science without evidence is still science, but Policy without evidence is gossip,” concluded Mr. Mathooko.

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About the Conveners:

About KEWOPA:
The Kenya Women Parliamentarians Association represents women members of Kenya’s National Assembly and Senate, working to advance gender-responsive legislation and inclusive governance.

About PRS:
The Parliamentary Research Services (PRS) was established in 2003 as a specialized, non-partisan, and professional department of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). It currently operates under the Parliamentary Joint Services to provide research support in policy research and analysis to the National Assembly and the Senate.

About IDinsight:
IDinsight is a global advisory, data analytics, and research organization that helps development leaders maximize their social impact. It uses data and evidence to help leaders combat poverty and improve lives across Africa and Asia.