This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
As Kenya prepares for its population census on Saturday, a surprise awaits travellers on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. Makueni County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim has announced that motorists and travellers will be flagged down at roadblocks in Mtito Andei, Emali, and Salama townships to ensure they have been counted.
According to Mr Maalim, those who have not participated in the census will be required to fill out the necessary forms before proceeding with their journeys. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and the police will be mounting the roadblocks to ensure a smooth and successful census exercise.
Meanwhile, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has directed that all bars and premises licensed for selling alcoholic beverages remain closed for 24 hours starting from 6pm on August 24. This directive aims to ensure that as many people as possible are counted during the census exercise.
Bar owners who defy this directive risk having their licenses revoked, the governor warned. The police will be cracking down on any premises that open during this period.
Mr Maalim made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Wote Town on the county's state of preparedness for the census exercise.
