Kenya unveils Sh19 billion plan to overhaul national data systems

A fresh push to modernise Kenya’s data systems will see ministries, state departments, and county governments take direct responsibility for funding their own statistical activities, as the government rolls out a Sh19 billion plan to reform the national data framework over the next five years.

This shift is captured in the Second Kenya Strategy for the Development of Statistics (KSDS II), covering 2023/24 to 2027/28, which aims to position public institutions as the main sources of data.

The initial phase of implementation, scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year, is expected to cost Sh5.8 billion.

Economic Planning Principal Secretary Bonface Makokha explained that the new structure is part of efforts to make Kenya’s National Statistical System (NSS) more efficient and responsive to national needs by embedding statistics within the core functions of all public institutions.

“Statistics is a public good. The responsibility for producing and disseminating quality data lies squarely with the institutions that generate it,” Makokha said.

He said every ministry, department, agency, and county government will be required to develop a statistical plan in line with KSDS II and incorporate its cost within their annual budgets.

The government says the plan addresses long-standing issues such as inadequate funding, poor data disaggregation, and limited uptake of modern tools and data sources, all of which have hampered the effectiveness of the country’s statistical system.

“The underutilisation of these emerging data sources, limitations in data disaggregation and inadequate investment in statistical infrastructure have underscored the urgency for a more transformative, agile, integrated and demand-driven statistical system,” Makokha added.

In the current financial year (2024/25), the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) was allocated Sh867 million for general statistical operations and Sh119 million for census and survey-related evaluations.

Makokha said part of the financing for the new strategy will still come from government allocations, but stressed that additional support from development agencies will be critical. KNBS will take the lead in mobilising these extra resources.

He also revealed that Kenya plans to establish a National Statistics Fund as proposed in the African Charter on Statistics, to ensure long-term financial stability for the sector.

KNBS Director General Macdonald Obudho said KSDS II introduces new approaches that will widen the use of administrative data and promote emerging technologies to improve data quality and relevance.

“KSDS II fosters enhanced utilisation of administrative data across governments and businesses, integrates key advancements such as adopting a data maturity model, advancing innovation in data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) to align with Kenya’s AI readiness,” said Obudho.

The strategy outlines plans to use modern tools, including AI and data science, to improve how fast and accurately government data is collected and analysed. It also supports combining economic, social, and environmental statistics to strengthen development planning and policymaking.

Makokha further affirmed the government’s commitment to reforms that will improve the quality of data through legal changes, better coordination among agencies, and more investment in statistical infrastructure.

He appealed to civil society, the private sector, and development partners to work with the government in making the strategy a success.

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“Let us take ownership of this data, invest in it, and ensure it reflects the realities and aspirations of all Kenyans,” he said.