National Census 2019 is set to kick off on August 24th. This will be the eighth census to be conducted in Kenya since the first one conducted in 1948, and will be first of its kind to be carried out using digital gadgets, a paperless process that seeks to ensure accuracy, speed of processing and security of the data, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
In a clear guideline on how the Census will be conducted, KNBS has addressed issues on household members who might be absent on the reference night, due to work, some traveling on the night of the census or those who are out of the country and indicators that a household has been counted to avoid confusion.
Here are some of the answers to possible questions Kenyans will ask during the census.
1. What will show a household has been enumerated?
Census officials will write a number on the door or at any visible place on the structure to indicate that the enumeration has been conducted.
2. Where will people who work night duty be counted?
All those on duty in the night of twenty forth such as doctors, nurses, and watchmen will be counted with the household even if they are absent.
3. What happens when one is not at home on the night of 24th August 2019?
Enumerators will try to visit your home again to ensure you are counted. The entire process will take seven days. It starts on 24th and ends in 31st.
4. Who will be enumerated?
All person within the borders of Kenya during the reference night. They include outdoor sleepers, persons on transit, individuals in hotels and lodges, and institution such as hospitals and prisons.
5. Will Kenyans in Diaspora be enumerated?
Kenyans in the diaspora will not be enumerated. However, people will be asked questions about members who have migrated to other countries since 2004.
6. If I have visitors on the night of 24th August 2019, will they be counted a part of my household?
Yes. Anyone present in your household on the night of 24 August 2019 will be counted.
7. What key questions will be asked during the census?
They include age, sex, marital status, births, deaths, migration, educational attainment, forms and severity of difficulties in performing daily life activities. Others are on labour force particulars, access and ownership of ICT equipment and services, crop farming livestock and agriculture, housing characteristics and ownership of assets.
8. How will census data be captured?
For the first time census, data will be captured electronically through a mobile device (tablet)
9. When will census be conducted?
Enumeration will start on the night of 24th August 2019, and end on 31st August 2019.
