This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
As Kenya prepares for its census, a debate has erupted over whether bars should be closed during the count. The government has proposed closing bars to ensure that everyone is at home to be counted, but bar owners and their employees are opposed to the idea, fearing it will hurt their business.
The census is a crucial exercise that helps scholars and policymakers understand and plan for a country's population. However, in Kenya, it has become a contentious issue, with some groups trying to politicize the process and others fearing the growing influence of other tribes.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the last census was marred by controversy, with the Planning Minister, Wycliff Oparanya, ordering a recount in several areas. The recount revised the combined population of those areas from 2.35 million to 1.3 million, sparking concerns about the accuracy of the data.
One of the main issues with the census is the quality of the data collected. In some areas, respondents refused to answer enumerators' questions, citing cultural reasons, and instead filled out the questionnaire themselves. This has raised concerns about the reliability of the data.
As the country prepares for the census, it is essential to ensure that the process is fair and accurate. The government should take steps to prevent the politicization of the census and ensure that everyone has a chance to be counted.
Published on August 22, 2019, at 21:12:06.
