Al Kags

Al Kags is a Kenyan entrepreneur, writer, and advocate for open government and citizen engagement. He is the founder of the Open Institute, an organization based in Nairobi that collaborates with governments and civil society organizations across sub-Saharan Africa to promote transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation. Kags has been instrumental in pioneering citizen-generated data initiatives, developing tools like SABASI to empower communities in data collection and analysis. His leadership has led to the establishment of County Statistical Units and the integration of citizen-generated data into national planning frameworks. Recognized globally, Kags serves on the Technical Advisory Committee of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and chairs Publish What You Fund. In 2024, he was named an Ashoka Fellow, underscoring his impact in advancing data governance and civic participation.