This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Kenya is set to conduct its census exercise on Saturday, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i assuring citizens of adequate security measures in place.
According to Matiang'i, security personnel have been deployed across the country to ensure a smooth and secure exercise. The CS emphasized that all security personnel will be in full uniform during the exercise, and it is the right of every Kenyan to demand identification from them.
Bars and social joints will remain closed from 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, as per government directives. Matiang'i urged Kenyans to take a little inconvenience and facilitate the exercise, which only occurs once every 10 years.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru assured Kenyans that data collected during the exercise will be kept confidential and secure. The census is expected to cost a total of KSh 18.5 billion, spread over five years, with the largest chunk of funds being used for the emolument of census personnel.
The government has also put in place measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of the data being collected. The equipment being used for the exercise was assembled locally, and all data transmission will be done under Kenyan control.
