This archive report was first published on 4 November 2019.
Published on November 4, 2019, the results of the 2019 population census have sparked controversy among Kenya's political leaders.
Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has expressed his dissatisfaction with the 1.5 million population figure recorded for Meru County, claiming that Ngare Mare residents have been listed under Isiolo County.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, and Chuka Igamba Ng'ombe MP Patrick Munene have also disputed the county's 393,177 population figure, vowing to petition the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to review the numbers.
Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome has disputed the 1,056,640 figure recorded as the population for Murang'a County, stating that the results are 'not what we expected' and that 'something fishy has been done.'
Kisii Senator Prof. Sam Ongeri has challenged the census outcome showing Kisii has a population of 1.26 million people and 605,576 in Nyamira, suggesting that the numbers could be slightly higher.
However, a section of political leaders in Homa Bay County, led by National Assembly Minority leader John Mbadi, have expressed satisfaction with the results, stating that they are reasonable compared to the population census conducted in 2009.
According to Mbadi, the results on population growth in Homa Bay are 'basically reasonable and respect the population partner of the county.'
Reporting by Aly Abich, Lisper Kathure, Joseph Wachira, and Hyline Ocharo.
