Analysis of interoperability, security and usability of digital repositories in Kenyan Institutions of Higher Learning

Kenya has experienced a significant growth in the number of institutional repositories in the recent past. The number grew from a paltry two (2) in 2009 to 42 in August 2020. The growth is a positive indicator as repositories play a crucial role in solving some of the problems experienced in the broader area of scholarly communication. This study sought to establish the current extent to which institutions of higher learning in Kenya have established and implemented digital repositories, from a technical perspective. To achieve this goal, the study undertook a technical analysis of institutional repositories implemented by accredited universities in Kenya by the Commission for University Education as at June 2020. The analysis focused on numerous metrics on interoperability, security and usability of the analyzed institutional repositories. The study employed an exploratory approach to collecting the data. The data collected was stored on a MySQL database using the PhpMyAdmin tool. Data analysis was done by SQL querying and the result set copied to MS Excel for generation of graphical visualizations. From a total of 49 institutions examined, 34 (69%) had institutional repositories while 15 (39%) did not have institutional repositories. All the 34 institutions with repositories were using Dspace software. Of all the metrics analyzed, the study established that most of the institutional repositories did not implement essential features that improve interoperability, security and usability of their repository platforms. The study recommends either further training for repository managers or outsourcing of the technical process of establishing and maintaining functional institutional repositories. We further recommend more comprehensive studies to cover all the aspects of the FAIR principles of data management in Kenya.