SPEECH BY H.E. HON. MWAI KIBAKI, C.G.H., M.P., PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE 25-DAYS COUNTDOWN TO THE 2009 KENYA POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS, K.I.C.C., NAIROBI, 31ST JULY, 2009


Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to join you all for the official launch of the 25- day's countdown to the 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census. During the said 25 days, numerous efforts will be made to mobilize and sensitize all Kenyans on the importance of the forthcoming Population and Housing Census.

As most of you are aware, the Government has been conducting population censuses, systematically acquiring and recording vital information about the people in Kenya, every ten years since 1969. The last population census was conducted in 1999. The purpose of Population and Housing census is to collect key benchmark statistics on demographic, social and economic characteristics that are crucial in the country's development planning process. Indeed, such statistics will on a regular basis inform development planning and policy decisions of the Government. In addition, the Government will require the data about the citizens in order to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Equally important, the data to be collected will be crucial in monitoring the implementation of our national economic blue print, the Kenya VISION TWENTY THIRTY. This is why the theme of the current census is most fitting, namely "Counting People for VISION TWENTY THIRTY".

In light of the importance attached to the Census undertaking, the Government, in collaboration with development partners, has set aside a total of 7.1 billion Shillings to be used for this year's exercise. In addition, the Government has mobilized staff from all its departments and recruited a total of over 130,000 additional census personnel across the country to be engaged in the forthcoming census in various capacities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the last decade, a lot of changes have taken place not only in Kenya, but also globally. For instance, the world population has increased tremendously and placed huge demand on natural, physical, financial and technological resources, required to meet the needs of the people. The situation has been further aggravated 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.

Nevertheless, despite these challenges, the world has also witnessed the emergence of new opportunities as a basis of continuing hope for humanity. Information and Communication Technologies, for example, have grown significantly, creating new, faster and more efficient avenues of dealing with modern day challenges. At the same time, I.C.T. has heralded a new dawn where job opportunities have expanded. Today, unlike ten years ago, you can sit in Kenya and work for a firm in any part of the world.

To respond to the challenges of modern times and at the same time take full advantage of the unfolding opportunities on a global scale, Kenyans must appreciate that careful planning is absolutely imperative. All of us must bear in mind that it is only through availability of vital population data that we can fully and accurately estimate the magnitude of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that we face, and take advantage in the midst of global competition. It is against this background that I call upon Kenyans to appreciate the significance of the forthcoming population and housing census and come out strongly to support the exercise.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you may have noticed, Kenyans have in the last few years placed great importance to the question of the logical basis of resource allocation in this country. Such approach has obviously raised the need for collection of accurate and reliable demographic data. With such data, the Government will be able to establish a reliable framework on the basis of which to allocate resources fairly and for the greater good of all.

In response to the wishes of its citizens over the last couple of years, the Government has endeavored to ensure that Kenyan's benefit from our national resources in a fair and equitable manner. For this reason, the Government is committed to continue expanding the devolution of funds to all corners of the country. It is in this context that the forthcoming population and housing census will be very important as it will serve as the basis of determining the exact interventions the Government is required to implement with the view to direct resources where they will have the greatest impact, namely, at the grassroots throughout the nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that the Grand Coalition Government is on the right path. Indeed, the Government appreciates the extent to which devolved funds have empowered communities and laid the ground for equitable distribution of national wealth. This is the reason why the Government, through the 2009 national budget, further extended more resources to every region in the country and, in particular, to all the constituencies.

However, a lot is yet to be done due to inadequate information and data on crucial aspects that inform national planning. To bridge the data gap, the Kenya 2009 census has to be comprehensive enough on vital information in order to provide details that will aid the process of national and local development planning, while at the same time upholding peace, unity and national integration of our people. The Government is, of course, aware that the use of census data as one of the determining factors for allocation of devolved funds may provide incentives to overstate the population in some areas. But I want to assure Kenyans that effective mechanisms have been put in place to validate the reported population and, therefore, cheating will be detected and dealt with accordingly.

However, I am confident that the census mobilization and sensitization programme we are launching today will curb evil intentions and encourage Kenyans to provide accurate information to census personnel. This will perhaps be the most important expression of love for our country this year. This is why today, as we begin the 25-day countdown to the Kenya Census 2009, I would like to urge all Kenyans to see the forthcoming population and housing census in the light of the great benefits our country is bound to realize as a result of a successful exercise.

Enthusiasm of the population is important for the success of this exercise. But commitment of census officials and enumerators is equally critical. I, therefore, urge all officials overseeing the census to be extra vigilant and dedicated in ensuring the exercise is carried out successfully. In the same breath, I request political and church leaders, Non Government Organizations and community leaders and the media to be watchful and educate the public on the vital role the data gathered in the census exercise will play in the national development planning and policy decision-making process. I particularly urge the politicians to give maximum support to this year's census. Let us respect the exercise as a wholly technical process, out of which all Kenyans will emerge the winners.

Security of citizens and their property is a crucial issue of concern in an exercise such as this. In this connection, I direct all the security agencies, and in particular the entire provincial administration, to be extra vigilant and to ensure the safety of both the enumerators and the people to be counted during this very important national exercise.

In conclusion, I urge all persons who will be in Kenya on the night of 24th August this year to provide the required information accurately to counting officers. I wish everyone a successful national population and housing census, 2009.

Thank you and God bless you all.