The initial objective of the Kenya Indexing Project was to compile a computer-based index of the articles published in Nairobi newspapers since 1980 covering the cultural affairs of this country-mainly music, dance, theatre, literature, art. Articles published in journals on these subjects would also be sought and included in the index.

Fortunately, Ford Foundation very kindly agreed to fund the indexing work. Office space, staff, and equipment were acquired and indexing began in August 2001. The staff includes:
--one person searches the newspapers to identify relevant articles,
--another inputs the basic details of each article,
--another photocopies each article and archives the copies
--four indexers read the articles and assign subject access terms.
--two part-time editors/proofreaders ensure that the articles are ready for the website, ,
--one person takes care of administrative matters.

ProCite software (5th ed.) is being used for the database.
Subject terms are taken from the U.S. Library of Congress Subject Headings, 24th ed. (CD-ROM format). The online version of the index is a SQL Server database, and was created using a combination of python and javascript.

Subsequently the topics covered by the index expanded to include reproductive health, law/governance affairs, and various miscellaneous topics about which information relevant to Kenya is somewhat difficult to obtain, e.g. child labour, pensions, copyright, etc. Short term funding for the legal indexing was obtained from the International Development Research Centre. As of 2003, Ford Foundation is funding all indexing being undertaken.

The computer-based index is being mounted on the website, IndexKenya.org. The database will be updated on a regular basis. In this way, it is hoped that the details of the newspaper articles will reach research scholars, journalists, students and teachers, practitioners in various fields, and the general public. The staff of the Indexing Project are pleased to play a part in creating this unique database.

February 2003