2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume 1B: Population Distribution by Political Units

The Kenyan government has conducted decennial censuses since 1969, in addition to the earlier ones, notably in 1948 and 1962, as recommended by the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for census-taking worldwide. Thus, the country has been hailed as model for successful censustaking in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. The 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census (2009 KPHC) was the seventh census to be conducted since 1948 and the 5th since independence. It was conducted from the night of 24th/25th to 31st August 2009. The planning and execution of the 2009 KPHC was spearheaded by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) on behalf of the Government of Kenya – in accordance with the Statistics Act 2006. The theme for the census was “Counting our people for the implementation of Vision 2030”. This theme was deemed pertinent in order to respond to the greater demands for statistical information for monitoring the implementation of Kenya’s current development goals and other global initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Thus, planning of the 2009 KPHC took cognizance of the need to collect a variety of information for monitoring the achievement of these goals. The implementation of the 2009 KPHC was a costly venture, estimated at Kshs. 8.4 billion. The government funded over 95 percent of the entire budget from its own resources, thereby demonstrating its commitment to improving statistical data collection, analysis, and dissemination for informed decision making. Census being a massive statistical operation and an important national exercise, the Government ensured that its implementation incorporated the participation of all stakeholders, either directly or indirectly through various census committees and sensitization workshops, as well as through print and electronic media. Indeed, an effective communication campaign was mounted to create public awareness and mobilize national support for the process. For the first time in the history of census-taking in Kenya, His Excellency the President declared a census/public holiday on the first day of the census (25th August 2009). The President further demonstrated his commitment to the process by being the first Kenyan to be enumerated, a gesture that was emulated by the Right Hon. Prime Minister and other dignitaries from the public and private sector.