The National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM), in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), has commissioned the Migration and Displacement Data and Statistics Technical Working Committee (TWC).
The initiative aims to strengthen Kenya’s ability to monitor and analyse migration trends effectively.
This effort seeks to bridge data gaps and support evidence-based policymaking to drive national development.
Speaking during the launch at a hotel in Nairobi, Principal Secretary of State Department for Immigration and Citizens Service (PS), Amb. Prof. Julius Bitok, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Director General of the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM), Dr. Dan Opon, emphasised the need for accurate and timely data to shape migration policies.
The PS highlighted that migration remained under-researched due to data gaps and policy fragmentation.
The TWC, a key arm of the NCM, will standardise and formalise stakeholder efforts to ensure reliable, accessible, and verifiable migration data.
In collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the committee aims to harmonise data collection and analysis within a structured legal framework.
The approach will enhance governance by providing evidence-based insights for policymakers, researchers, and the public.
“The whole-of-government approach is central to the TWC’s mission, fostering cooperation among government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector to build a robust migration data ecosystem. By addressing data fragmentation and ensuring transparency, the initiative will strengthen migration governance and support informed decision-making at all levels,” he said.
He acknowledged that as migration becomes increasingly complex and dynamic worldwide, there is a growing need for accurate, timely, and reliable data to guide decision-making and anticipate future trends for effective interventions.
“Through this Technical Working Committee, we will collaborate across the entire data cycle from collection to analysis and dissemination, ensuring critical information is accessible to policymakers, researchers, and the public. With KNBS’s expertise, the NCM will gain a dynamic data-sharing platform that evolves with the shifting migration and displacement landscape,” he affirmed.
KNBS Director General (DG) Macdonald Obudho, in a speech read on his behalf by Director of Statistical Coordination and Methods Benjamin Avusevwa, emphasized the importance of accurate and timely migration data in shaping economic and social policies.
The DG noted that migration plays a vital role in Kenya’s growth, making reliable data essential for policy formulation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) monitoring, and overall governance.
“One of the committee’s main priorities is addressing Kenya’s lack of a comprehensive system for tracking internally displaced persons (IDPs),” he said.
Obudho reiterated that KNBS is developing a national IDP sampling framework, which would improve data accuracy and support targeted policy interventions.
Additionally, he said that the KNBS would focus on key migration indicators such as labour migration, remittances, skills transfer, and environmental displacement, ensuring Kenya aligns with global best practices in migration data management.
“To improve data quality and usage, the committee will implement strategic measures, including strengthening data collection through household surveys, border records, and administrative sources,” he added.
He said the committee aims to promote safe and productive migration policies that protect migrants’ rights while maximising economic benefits.
“That committee will develop a migration sector statistics plan, establish guidelines for data compilation, and publish an annual migration trends report, which are designed to enhance migration governance and ensure data-driven decision-making,” he said.
The DG emphasized that the launch of the committee marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s migration data agenda, reinforcing the country’s commitment to data-driven policymaking for economic growth and social development.
Director General of Immigration Services, Evelyn Cheluget, emphasized that the newly established committee will work closely with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to ensure migration data is both comprehensive and accurate.
“This is a significant step in organising and managing migration effectively,” she remarked.
She urged committee members to prioritise data collection, processing, and application, highlighting that migration policies should be rooted in accurate data rather than assumptions.
“This committee must foster a culture that embraces decision-making based on data. Through rigorous research and analysis, we can detect trends and challenges before they become critical,” she said.
Further, she called for a multi-stakeholder approach, encouraging collaboration with civil society, academia, and the private sector to gain diverse insights into migration challenges and opportunities.
“Integrating different perspectives will ensure our policies reflect real migration trends and serve both migrants and communities,” she emphasized.
Additionally, the Director General highlighted the transformative potential of the TWC initiative, emphasising that it would establish a strong foundation for a migration policy framework that benefits both migrants and the nation as a whole.
“It is therefore incumbent upon committee members to willingly and wholeheartedly pledge to work with the Kenya Bureau of Statistics to achieve the high-impact outcomes we aspire to,” she stated.
She emphasized that this cooperation is crucial not only for ensuring the integrity and reliability of the data but also for building trust among stakeholders.
“By strengthening this partnership, we ensure that our findings accurately reflect trends and patterns, leading to better-informed policies that truly serve our community,” she said.
By Joan Ogolla
