This archive report was first published on 26 August 2019.
Amnesty International has cautioned Kenyans against providing their passport and/or identity numbers to census enumerators, emphasizing that the exercise is anonymous by law and international standards.
According to the group's statement released on Sunday, August 25, 2019, censuses are designed to be anonymous, and individuals are not required to provide personal identification details.
"We have received complaints that persons are being threatened or the exercise is being stopped when they decline to answer the request for their passport and identity number," the statement read.
Amnesty International further advised citizens who are threatened with arrest by enumerators when they decline to provide their passport and identity numbers to reach out to them via WhatsApp number +254 762 242651, providing details such as full name, mobile number, date, time, and location of the incident, as well as the name of the enumerator and the type of threat.
The 2019 census, which began on Saturday, August 24, 2019, and is set to run until August 31, 2019, has already seen prominent Kenyans, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, former President Daniel arap Moi, and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, enumerated.
