By Martin Mutua and PPS

Kenya’s fifth national census since Independence kicked off on Monday night with the counting of President Kibaki and his family.

Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya and National Bureau of Statistics director-general Anthony Kilele were at State House Nairobi with a team of enumerators who went through the census questionnaire with the Head of State.

The National Population and Housing census also saw former President Moi visited by enumerators at his Kabarak home.

Among the questions both were expected to answer were on their ethnicity, an issue that has generated extensive debate with claims that it would help "propagate tribalism".

Others details the President was expected to supply are on the size of his family, his level of education, the type and number of livestock he owns, as well as fixed assets, motor vehicles, and the type of cooking and lighting fuels used in State House.

According to a dispatch from Presidential Press unit, the exercise took place at 6.05pm. A delighted Head Of State said census is vital for planning and development of the country and urged Kenyans to give it maximum support.

According to Moi’s press secretary Lee Njiru, officials from KNBS led by Rongai DC Benjamin Nzioka counted the former Head of State.

Also counted on Monday was Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and his family at their Karen residence. Officials of the KNBS arrived at the VP’s residence at 7.30pm and carried out the exercise for about 30 minutes.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was expected in the country last night from an official trip to Italy, will be enumerated today.

Monday’s exercise was expected to continue up to 10pm last night.

It is set to resume this morning from 6am up to 10pm which has been declared a national holiday by the President.

The exercise kicked off peacefully in other parts of the country with no incidences being reported. Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and his planning counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya had earlier in the day assured the public adequate security had been deployed.

The two ministers urged Kenyans to give all details that will be required including one’s tribe to the enumerators assuring that it was for the good of the country.

Saitoti said troublesome areas have been marked out and those who will try to interfere wit the exercise will be dealt with ruthlessly.

In Central province police were deployed in several areas ahead of the exercise as hundreds of elders in Thika were replaced after a boycott threat was issued. Contingents of police were seen patrolling areas in Kirinyaga and Murang’a considered to be stronghold for the dreaded Mungiki sect after they issued threats to disrupt the exercise.

However, the Government moved to assure residents they were safe sand urged them to co-operate with census officials.

In Mombasa, the home of entertainment and tourist attractions, police ordered all bars and eating places closed at 6pm. Coast PPO Leo Nyongesa further announced that armed police would accompany all enumerators. Those staying in lodges, hotels, and beaches will be sought as will people on transit and at border points.

In Nyanza enumerators were set to visit seven islands and had hired motorboats to ferry census officials to the islands. The islands included Mageta, Oyamo, Ndeda, Saga, Sifu and Magare, which are in Bondo district. Also lined up is an Island known as Seje, occupied by domestic animals taken there for fattening.

In Rift Valley the PC Osman Warfa assured residents of maximum security to ensure the exercise was conducted peacefully and successfully. According to KNBS officials, internally displaced persons in the area would be counted as well.

And Isiolo District Census Committee expressed optimism that the exercise would succeed despite insecurity and nomadic lifestyle of the locals. DC James Kamau who is also the chairman of the district census committee assured that security personnel had been deployed to hotspots in Central division.

The outskirts of Isiolo town are hit by inter-clan conflict. They include Kambi Sheikh, Ngaremara, Kilimani, Kambi Garba, Shambani and Gambella that falls in Tigania East.

Kenya's last census was conducted in 1999, recording a population of 28.7 million. The population this year is projected to approach 40 million.

Counting will also take place daily up to August 31st between 6am and 10pm to ensure every Kenyan is counted.