Submissions

Author Guidelines

REVIEW PROCESS

All submitted must be based on completed research work with recommendations based on evidence from the study. Submitted briefs will be reviewed for direct alignment to Vision 2030 objectives as provided in the table below, and for potential impact of the recommendations.

SERIES F: FOUNDATIONS

F1: Infrastructure – Deploying World Class Infrastructure Facilities and Services.

F2: Information and Communication Technology – Leveraging ICTs for Increased Competitiveness.

F3: Science, Technology and Innovation – Accelerating the Transition to an Innovation-Led and Knowledge-Based Economy.

F4: Land Reforms – Globally Competitive and Sustainable Land Management.

F5: Public Sector Reforms – A Citizen-Focused and Results-Oriented Public Service

F6: Labour and Employment – Provide Every Kenyan with Decent and Gainful Employment.

F7: National Values and Ethics – A Value-driven, Ethical and Peaceful, United and Prosperous Nation.

F8: Ending Drought Emergencies – Planning for drought: An end to drought emergencies and food insecurity in Kenya.

F9: Security, Peace and Building Conflicts Resolution – A Nation of Peace and Stability: A Society free from Danger and Fear

SERIES 1: ECONOMIC PILLAR

1A: Agriculture and Livestock – Innovative, Commercially-oriented and Modern Agriculture and Livestock Sector.

1B: Manufacturing – Robust, diversified and competitive manufacturing sector.

1C: Tourism – To be a top 10 long haul destination offering high-end diverse, and distinctive visitor experience.

1D: Trade – A formal sector that is efficient, multi-tiered, diversified in product range and innovative.

1E: Business Process Outsourcing – To be a top offshoring destination in Africa

1F: Financial Services – A vibrant and globally competitive financial sector driving high level of savings to finance Kenya’s investment needs.

1G: Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources – Promoting sustainable development of the extractive sector. 

1H: Blue Economy – Sustainably manage and develop the Blue Economy resources for enhanced socio-economic benefits to Kenyans.

Series 2: The Social Pillar

2A: Health – Equitable, Affordable and Quality Health Care of the Highest Standards.

2B: Population, Urbanization, Housing – Quality population with adequate and decent housing in a sustainable environment.

2C: Education and Training – Globally competitive quality education, training and research for sustainable development.

2D: Environment, Water, Sanitation and Regional Development – Enhancing development in a clean safe environment and, sustainably managed Natural Resources, Access to Water and Sanitation Services.

2E: Gender, Youth and Vulnerable Groups – Equity in Access, Control and Participation in Resource Distribution for Improved Livelihood of Women, Youth and Vulnerable Groups.

2F: Sports, Culture and Arts- Celebrating the Best in Us.

Series 3: Political Pillar

3A: Devolution – Making Devolution Work: A Catalyst for Holistic, Transformative and Sustainable Development

3B: Governance and the Rule of Law – A secure, just, cohesive, democratic, accountable, transparent and conducive environment for a prosperous Kenya.

Series T: Themes (Cross Cutting Issues)

T1: Climate Change

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTHORS

As you develop your policy brief, do not forget your target audience: Policymakers, coming from broad, typically non-academic backgrounds, and who do not have a lot of time to read long, uninteresting articles. 

Document Format and Structure

Develop your policy brief using the prescribed structure and headings as provided in italics below. Please strictly stay within maximum word counts or your brief will be returned without further review.

Policy Area

Select from Table 1 the appropriate code for the primary area addressed by your recommendations. For example, if your study proposes policy recommendations that improve indoor air quality leading to a reduction in respiratory diseases, you would select policy area 2A.

Title (Maximum 12 words)

Author(s) (One bullet per author)

1. Title, First Name, Middle Initial (optional), Last Name, email, phone no., Department/School, Institution, institution address, city, country.
2.  

Key Policy Messages

• 3 (minimum) – 5 (maximum) short sentences (maximum 20 words per bullet)
•  

Context (400 Words Max.)

This section provides the background of the brief. It justifies why the policy maker should care to continue reading. Where possible (and should nearly always be the case), provide current quantitive data supporting any qualitative statements on the problem being addressed. For example (statements in brackets are added explanations to illustrate the structure and are not in the original brief).

“[start of qualitative statement introducing the problem] Rwanda’s fertility rate declined slowly up to 2005 when the country initiated one of the fastest fertility declines in human history over a five year period. [Quantitative support for the assertions made] The total fertility rate fell markedly from 6.3 to 4.6 children per woman between 2005 and 2010, buoyed by an impressive increase in contraceptive use. However, the rate of decline decelerated between 2010 and 2015, with the fertility rate dropping by less than half a child to 4.2 births per woman1. The infant mortality rate declined from 86 per 1000 live births to 32 per 1000 live births, while under five mortality rate declined from 152 to 50 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2005 and 2015.

[start of qualitative statement introducing the problem] The longstanding gap between birth and death rates has led to rapid population growth, [Quantitative support for the assertions made] with the population size more than doubling from 4.8 million to 10.5 million people between 1978 and 20122. The population is projected to reach 23 million by 2050 and 27 million by 20703 even if birth rates continue to decline.”

Relevant sub-headings can be added to this section as is appropriate, so long as the entire section does not exceed the section word count. 

Approach and Results ((Maximum 800 words) Need the heading)

Relevant sub-headings can be added to this section as is appropriate, so long as the entire section does not exceed the section word count.

Key Policy Recommendations

Divide into two groups:

Short term policy recommendations to xxxx include:

• 3 (minimum) – 5 (maximum) short sentences (maximum 50 words per bullet)
•  

Medium to long term policy recommendations to xxxx include:

• 3 (minimum) – 5 (maximum) short sentences (maximum 50 words per bullet)
•  

Acknowledgements (50 words maximum)

Should include report/study/paper from which the policy brief is derived and acknowledge the funder, collaborators, partners, etc.

References

• All in APA Format. Keep to a minimum as this not an academic paper.

Additional Instructions:

• Figures and pictures (high resolution and colour) should also be included to support the understanding of the context. A maximum of 4 figures/images can be included.
• For all graphs also provide raw data in excel format to allow recreation in a standard format for all briefs. 
• No tables.
• Use language that is clear, simple and easy to understand. Avoid using academic terms or development jargon.
• Keep the sub-headings short and clear and the paragraphs short.

Copyright & Permissions

Copyright is retained by the authors. Readers are welcome to reproduce, share and adapt the content without permission provided the source is attributed.

Submission and Publication Fees

There are NO submission or publication fees.

Useful Resources (Worthwhile reading BEFORE you begin to write your policy brief.)

• How to write a policy brief. IDRC, https://www.idrc.ca/sites/default/files/idrcpolicybrieftoolkit.pdf
• Writing Effective Reports: Preparing Policy Briefs, FAO, http://www.fao.org/3/i2195e/i2195e03.pdf

Download PDF Version of Instructions: Kenya Policy Briefs – Instruction to Authors