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Nairobi, July 31, 2009

President Mwai Kibaki is receieved by Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Minister for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 on arrival for the official launch of the 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census Countdown at K.I.C.C, Nairobi. Looking on is Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government.

Accurate Census critical to devolution of resources

President Mwai Kibaki has reassured Kenyans that the government has put in place effective mechanisms to validate information provided during the national population and census exercise to ensure accurate and reliable demographic data.

President Kibaki said the Kenya 2009 census would be comprehensive enough on vital information which provides details to aid the national and local development planning while upholding unity and national integration of the people.

The President was speaking at Kenyatta International conference centre (KICC) during the launch of the 25 day count down to the 2009 Kenya Population and housing census during which period, Kenyans would be mobilized and sensitized on the importance of the exercise.

The head of state expressed the grand coalition government’s commitment to continue devolvement of resources to the grassroots for equitable distribution of the national cake in all parts of the country.

The head of state noted that due to the importance of the exercise, the government through the 2009/10 budget increased funding to all constituencies in the country this financial year.

”l believe that the grand coalition government is on the right path in devolving funds to the grassroots and appreciates the extent in which the communities have been empowered through equitable distribution of national wealth,” the President said.

President Kibaki urged Kenyans to appreciate the importance of careful planning and fully support the forthcoming population and housing census national exercise.

The President called on political leaders, the church and the media to educate the public on the vital role the data gathered during the exercise will play in national development and decision-making process.

He specifically appealed to politicians to fully support the national census and respect the exercise as a wholly technical process.

“Enthusiasm of the population and commitment of the officials and enumerators was critical for the success of national population and housing census exercise,” President Kibaki said.

The head of state noted that it was through accurate information that the government can estimate the magnitude of the country’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

While encouraging all Kenyans to express love for the country by providing the correct information to the census personnel, the President said the sensitization campaign launched in the countdown would assist curb evil intentions of cheating.

He expressed the importance of the forthcoming census in providing the basis of determining the exact interventions the government was required to implement to realize the desired impact of devolved resources in the grassroots.

President Kibaki said the purpose of Population and Housing census was to collect key benchmark statistics on demographic, social and economic characteristics that are crucial in the country’s development planning process.

In addition, the head of state noted, the Government will require the data on the citizens in order to monitor progress made towards implementation of our national economic blue print, the Kenya vision 2030.

President Kibaki said that over the last decade, the Kenyan and world population had increased tremendously and placed huge demand on natural, physical and technological resources to meet the demands of the people.

“The situation has been further aggravated by the global environmental changes that have posed serious challenges in food, water and energy supply. Similarly, rapid urban growth across cities and towns in the world has stretched available resources and the capacity of urban authorities to provide sufficient and quality services,” The president lamented.

President Kibaki was however optimistic that the emergence of new opportunities including Information and Communication Technologies (ICT),have provided more efficient avenues of dealing with modern day challenges and formed the basis of continued hope for humankind.

On security during the national census, President Kibaki directed the provincial administration and other security agencies to ensure safety of both the officials and all citizens and their property.

The President unveiled the census logo to launch the 25 day mobilization and sensitization campaign.

The head of state urged all persons who will be in Kenya on the night of 24th/25th August this year to provide accurate information to census officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi echoed the President’s sentiments by urging all Kenyans to avail themselves to be counted on the census night.

The Government has recruited 145,650 officials for the national population and census exercise piloted in 16 out of the 145 districts mapped according to the minister for National Development and Vision 2030 Mr. Wycliffe Oparanya.

The occasion was attended by the speaker of national assembly Keneth Marende, several cabinet ministers, the eight provincial commissioners, members of diplomatic corps and senior government officials among others.