This archive report was first published on 23 August 2019.
Published on August 23, 2019, a statement by the Kenya Population Housing and Census (KPHC) Coordinator, Busia County, Kizito Wangalwa, revealed that only those living within Kenya's boundary would be counted.
Wangalwa stated, "People who stay in islands within Kenya will be counted and we have maps that will guide us during the census exercise,"
However, leaders from Budalang'i, led by Bunyala South MCA Casper Ajuma, disputed this claim, saying that residents of Sigulu, Makera, Lelwe, Sagiti, Hama, and Ayasi islands would be left out.
Ajuma argued, "These people benefit immensely from services in Kenya and vote in Budalang'i. The government should have made arrangements to count them,"
He added, "The Government should have ferried people from the islands and brought them to Kenyan soil for the exercise,"
Busia County Commissioner Jacob Narengo warned foreigners against participating in the census, stating that it was a purely Kenyan affair.
Narengo instructed village elders to ensure that only Kenyans were counted, saying, "We have instructed village elders to ensure it is strictly Kenyans who will be counted. It will help the government plan for her people properly,"
