In 2020, the Government of Kenya launched an appeal for resources to fight the pandemic. Given the massive outlay of funding received by donors and committed by the Government, public demand for transparency around its expenditure grew.

We implemented the CRDP to support wider efforts at building out data gaps on the management of these resources. Our role was facilitative, aimed at improving the enabling environment for decision makers across sectors to conduct their work.

• A longitudinal study was carried out through weekly collection of data using mixed methods. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected through community surveys online, targeted one-on-one interviews, and a desk review of publicly available information.
• Firsthand insights were collected from a cross section of Kenyan leaders, and members of the public through a three-part public webinar series.
• CRDP masterclasses were derived from IREX’s Data Skills for Leaders curriculum, which equips leaders with practical skills for data informed decision making.

• Development of an interactive, open data dashboard: To help fill the data gap around resources committed to the response, we developed an interactive, open data dashboard. Over four months, we collected and uploaded secondary and primary data in real time to paint a more holistic picture of resources allocated to the response, and flow of funds.
• Community surveys: To gauge whether communities had access to resources and support during the pandemic, we asked them directly, surveying 2,000 vulnerable Kenyans. Our survey primarily sought to understand whether respondents had received  financial or non-financial assistance, as well as the nature and source of any assistance received.
• Promote dialogue around the expenditure of COVID-19 resources:  To elevate the voices of civil society and other stakeholders, and unpack perspectives around the response, we held a series of public webinars that engaged cross-sector Kenyan experts and thought leaders. Experts spanned the education, entrepreneurship, human rights, health, accountability, public finance management, bilateral, business, social protection, and policy spaces.
• Deliver data masterclasses: To support civil society leaders, interpret and interrogate data on the use and prioritization of COVID-19 resources, we delivered customized masterclasses to improve their practical skills for data-informed decision making. Participants learned how to facilitate collaborative decision-making, deliver compelling and ethical narratives, turn data and evidence into decisions, ensure a gender equity and social inclusion lens is applied when evaluating data, identify biases in their own decisions, make decisions with limited time or resources and navigate uncertainty in the decision-making process.

With support from the Ford Foundation