The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Director General (DG) Macdonald Obudho has underscored the need for accurate and timely data to support the country’s development agenda.
According to Obudho, population data are not just numbers but the foundation for informed decision-making in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.
He insisted that Kenya must embrace technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and geographic information system (GIS) mapping to enhance data collection and ensure its integrity.
“We must innovate to overcome the challenges of incomplete and inaccurate data reporting. Technology will allow us to track trends, predict future needs, and ensure that every Kenyan is counted,” stated Obudho in a speech read on his behalf by Abdikadir Amin Awes, a representative from KNBS at the Kenya Population and Development Conference (KPDC) 2025 in Nairobi.
Obudho also emphasized the importance of community engagement in data collection, noting that public trust is key to ensuring accurate reporting.
He added that misinformation and mistrust in census exercises have led to underreporting in the past.
“We must involve communities in the process, educate them on the significance of data, and use citizen-driven reporting tools to enhance transparency,” urged the DG.
Further, Obudho noted that the Kenya Vision 2030 relies on accurate demographic data so as to allocate resources effectively, particularly in devolved governance.
“Data is the future and as we navigate population dynamics and sustainable development, let us ensure that we leverage innovation for the benefit of all,” he advised.
Building on these remarks, Professor Alfred Agwanda, Director of Research at the Population Studies and Research Institute (PSRI), highlighted Kenya’s progress in improving the quality of population data, particularly in fertility statistics.
Agwanda however noted that gaps remain, especially in how birth, death, and cause-of-death data are collected.
Speaking during a panel discussion at KPDC 2025 in Nairobi, Prof. Agwanda emphasized the need to shift from relying on health surveys and censuses to vital statistics as the primary source for these key demographic indicators.
“The data that Kenya has, compared to other countries, has improved significantly in quality and dimensions, particularly in fertility data. However, we still rely on health processes and surveys, which come with their own limitations,” he said.
While census and survey data have traditionally provided crucial demographic insights, Prof. Agwanda argued that vital statistics should take precedence due to their annual updates and their ability to provide detailed cause-of-death data, which no other source currently offers.
“Vital statistics should now be the principal way we obtain data. First, they are collected periodically, every year. Second, they provide birth, death, and cause-of-death information, which we currently lack from other sources,” he explained.
The professor also admitted that the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS), which consolidates national data, has faced data acquisition challenges, adding that census and survey figures often come under public scrutiny and legal challenges.
“The issue is that we continue relying on censuses and surveys for critical data that should ideally come from vital registration,” he lamented.
Another major issue, according to Prof. Agwanda, is the lack of comprehensive transnational migration data. He mentioned that many individuals live in multiple countries within a single year, spending months in Kenya, Uganda, Britain, or elsewhere yet there is no centralised database to track such movements.
While official border entry and exit records exist, he said that they are not publicly accessible, making it difficult to analyse migration patterns effectively.
Despite improvements in Kenya’s data systems, accessibility remains a challenge. Nevertheless, Prof. Agwanda acknowledged that KNBS has made progress in providing free data through the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
He mentioned that KNBS has improved data accessibility, partly because DHS policies emphasise making data freely available to users, a step he claims is in the right direction.
Further, Prof. Agwanda also cited the International Public Use Microdata System (IPUMS) as a valuable resource where Kenya’s census data from 1969 to 2019 is currently available with the 2019 dataset uploaded just a fortnight ago.
“This is where we should be heading, ensuring researchers and policymakers can access and utilise data effectively,” he maintained, urging stakeholders to find better ways of ensuring that the data collected is not only accurate but also accessible to those who need it most.
As the government continues to digitise civil registration and integrate national databases, experts hope this will lead to more reliable, accessible, and real-time data.
However, concerns over transnational migration tracking, data security, and public access remain key issues for further discussion.
The session called for stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and government agencies to bridge existing data gaps.
With stronger research, technological investments, and transparent data systems, Kenya is well-positioned to harness the power of population data for sustainable development.
By Winnie Saha
