As the national census draws near, concerns are growing about the readiness of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to conduct a successful exercise. With just two weeks to go, the bureau's preparations are still in disarray, with complaints of corruption and nepotism in the recruitment of supervisors and enumerators.
According to reports, some successful applicants have yet to receive their appointment letters, while others have raised allegations of corruption and nepotism by chiefs entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the census.
Published on August 10, 2019, the KNBS's failure to prepare adequately for the census is a cause for concern, given the importance of accurate data collection on August 24/25. The bureau's subdued arrangements are disappointing, especially considering the need for a successful census to generate useful national statistics.
The census is a mandatory exercise that provides a basis for planning national development, including the allocation of resources for education, health, and infrastructure. However, the exercise also poses a security challenge that must be addressed by the authorities to prevent crooks and other vermin from taking advantage of the census to wreak havoc across the country.
