Economic Planning Principal Secretary Dr. Bonface Makokha conducted an inspection of National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) training in Vihiga County on Thursday, emphasizing the critical role of accurate data collection in national planning and service delivery. The initiative, part of a broader effort to strengthen grassroots governance, aims to address gaps in data reliability that hinder policy implementation and project monitoring.
Makokha, speaking at a press briefing in a Vihiga hotel, outlined the State Department for Economic Planning’s mandate to coordinate national, county, and sectoral planning while evaluating project outcomes. He highlighted the need for standardized data practices, citing a lack of timely, verifiable information at the local level. To address this, the department partnered with the State Department for Interior to train NGAO officers in data management, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and improving decision-making processes.
The training, launched last financial year, has already reached 11 counties, including Vihiga, where it is now expanding to 25 additional regions. Makokha emphasized the importance of grassroots data collection, stating that the program’s success in Vihiga demonstrated its potential to enhance both governmental efficiency and individual capacity. “Facts are stubborn, and we are committed to ensuring service delivery aligns with plans,” he said.
The PS also underscored the strategic value of data, comparing it to “the new oil,” and announced plans to involve community champions—such as youth, women, and persons with disabilities—in future training cohorts. This approach, he argued, would foster sustainability and local ownership of data initiatives. Makokha noted that the government has achieved 61.9% progress in implementing Vision 2030, a significant increase from 40% over 15 years, with 21.9% of milestones met in just four years since 2022.
A key component of the training is the deployment of a mobile-based Grassroot Data Collection System, equipped with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to track project locations, statuses, and challenges in real time. This digital tool replaces cumbersome manual processes, enhancing transparency and accountability. Makokha also announced plans to present Vision 2030’s achievements at the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, highlighting long-term infrastructure and digital development as cornerstones of Kenya’s growth strategy.
In response to rising Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Vihiga, Makokha revealed plans to collaborate with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) to conduct research on root causes and solutions. The initiative aims to inform targeted interventions, aligning with the government’s data-driven approach. Vihiga County Commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru echoed these priorities, urging residents to report SGBV cases through legal channels rather than informal “Kangaroo courts,” and reaffirming his office’s commitment to eradicating the issue.
The visit concluded with a courtesy call to Gicheru and local security officials, who reiterated their dedication to timely project implementation and community safety. Gicheru called on parents and victims to report GBV, stressing the importance of legal recourse. The training program, now in its second phase, underscores Kenya’s evolving governance model, blending technology, community engagement, and policy rigor to address systemic challenges at the grassroots level.