Census 2019 arrangements are in high gear and Kenyans are upbeat to take part in this exercise of national importance.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) the counting that is conducted after a decade has been well planned and all necessary measures already put in place. However, some Kenyans have a different opinion on how the whole process has been carried out.
A lot of issues have emerged surrounding the whole census process creating cofusion to those who should be counted.
Initially, a section of leaders called upon residents of their counties to travel to their birthplaces for the headcount. A move that was met by a strong force of opposition. The government also issued a statement clarifying that people need not travel as they will be counted from wherever they will be.
Urging Machakos residents to plan travel to their rural areas to be counted during the National Population and Housing Census set for the night of August 24/25 2019.
Population is key in determining how much budget allocation a region gets.
Please watch below. pic.twitter.com/sCzyhCLUXI
— Eng. Francis Maliti (@Francis_Maliti) August 20, 2019
The enumerators training was marred by chaos from protesting youth who cited discrimination in the recruitment process. It came as a shock to the public after some enumerators declined to sign the contracts after their employer failed to pay training allowances in some regions.
With all these challenges haunting the Statistics body, netizens have come out to poke holes and fault the sixth national census scheduled for the night of 24th August 2019.
A census is very important, but I have not seen much public education.
I read that enumerstors were trained for only 5 days. That's not enough.
A census is not just a statistical task but it is also a human relations event.
Just like our elections, 2019 census might be a sham.
— Joshua K. Njenga (@JKNjenga) August 21, 2019
Kenyans were quick to conclude that the process might be a sham just like the previous General elections in Kenya which are mostly riddled with inner dealings and court battles over forged results.
“Might”, you say? If you recall our voting is tribal based, then you’ll realise that “might” is being very optimistic….
— Gathoni (@I_am_Gathoni) August 21, 2019
what education do you need? Kenyans are counted every ten years.The last census was in 2009, I was counted. What has changed in the manner of counting? just be away from the club and at home to be counted. Kenyans love complaining about everything . Enumerators just capture data
— JARED NGESA (@jaredngesa) August 21, 2019
I was in the training and seven says were too much for us..we understood everything on day five pertaining enumeration….jitokeze uhesabike
— I am a Teacher (@MDSaigilu6) August 21, 2019
I was in the training and seven says were too much for us..we understood everything on day five pertaining enumeration….jitokeze uhesabike
— I am a Teacher (@MDSaigilu6) August 21, 2019
Others felt that the government had not done enough public awareness to enlighten the Mwananchi to embrace the census exercise.
It’s not a census. It’s a looting conduit that will collect data for the ongoing #hudumanamba scam. I won’t be counted…yo can count on that.
— Omar Bond (@AstronautKE) August 21, 2019
Anything posted in OT Morpho server is a sham.
— Salim Akudo (@salim_akudo) August 21, 2019
“Might”, you say? If you recall our voting is tribal based, then you’ll realise that “might” is being very optimistic….
— Gathoni (@I_am_Gathoni) August 21, 2019
The government has put in place appropriate measures to ensure the exercise succeeds by ordering the closure of all bars and clubs on the D-day.
Do you think the Govt has done sufficient arrangements to ensure smooth Census process?