This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that August 26 will be a public holiday to allow for maximum enumeration during the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, which begins next Saturday.
On Friday, August 16, 2019, the President made the announcement at the Kenyatta National Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, during the launch of the census countdown.
"To ensure maximum enumeration during the first two days (August 24 and 25) of the Census period, I have authorized Monday, 26th August 2019 to be a Public Holiday," the President said.
President Kenyatta assured Kenyans of their security during the census exercise, stating that necessary steps have been taken to ensure the activity takes place in a safe environment and with minimal disruption.
He added that all enumerators will be accompanied by uniformed security officers, and may also be accompanied by community elders and leaders of residents' associations, depending on the area.
The President also emphasized the importance of ensuring that all Kenyans participate in the census, and that special measures have been put in place to enumerate pastoralists, staff in essential and emergency service sectors, and persons who support international travel and airlines.
