Let census give accurate data to ensure fair resource sharing

The sharing of national resources has traditionally been largely hinged on the distribution of population across the country. 

This therefore underscores the importance of determining with scientific accuracy, the number of people residing in each of the 47 counties.

The coming year is therefore important for the Kenya Bureau of Statistics will be expected to conduct a national census to update its records for the basis of equitable distribution of revenue and planning.

The last time such a national exercise was carried out in 2009, there was a lot of complains as a result of allegations that the population in some areas was exaggerated, leading to distortion of the formula used by the central government in revenue allocation.

The squabbles arising from the census led to protracted legal battles and in some instances, regions were shelved. The exercise was further shrouded by political intrigues and was the basis of delimitation of constituency boundaries.

Projections by KBS Director General, Zachary Mwangi, are that this exercise planned to take place on the night of August 24 and 25 will cost the taxpayer Sh18.5 billion.

Kenyans expect that the 170,000 enumerators and other staff who will be deployed to execute the census will discharge their mandate in strict fidelity to the law and existing policy to avoid a situation where the census will raise more questions than answers.

This will save the country from perpetual bickering and clear doubts that the sharing out of resources was unfair because of tinkering with statistics.

Census ought to help the country in economic planning and accurate projections of the future, leaving no room for guess work.

It is also the expectations of Kenyans that the country will not be treated to unending drama of corruption where those carrying out the exercise are mired in unending procurement rows.

The 2019 census, Kenyans hope will provide a tool for equitable distribution of resources and provide a key plank for the government as it prepares policies and development programmes that will propel the nation in the next ten years.