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Functions of Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)

Gĩthĩnji

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The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency incorporated under the State Department for Planning.

The core mandate of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is collection, compilation, analysis, publication and dissemination of statistical information for public use.

The additional role of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) is coordinating, monitoring and supervising the National Statistical System (NSS).

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) was established by the Statistics Act of 2006 to replace its predecessor, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

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Functions of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)

Section 4 of the Statistics Act says the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shall be the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analysing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya and shall be the custodian of official statistical information.

The functions of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) are related to–

  • planning, authorising, co-ordinating and supervising all official statistical programmes undertaken within the national statistical system;
  • establishing standards and ensuring the use of best practices and methods in the production and dissemination of statistical information across the national statistical system;
  • collecting, compiling, analyzing, abstracting and disseminating statistical information on the matters specified in the First Schedule of the Statistics Act;
  • conducting the Population and Housing Census every ten years, and such other censuses and surveys as the Board may determine;
  • maintaining a comprehensive and reliable national socio-economic database.
  • developing and maintaining sampling frames of the Bureau;
  • collaborating with and assisting the county governments or any other institutions in the production of official statistics;
  • providing technical advice on statistics to other state entities;
  • promoting co-ordination among producers, users and suppliers of official statistics by forming appropriate sector committees; and
  • designating statistics produced by national statistical system as official statistics on being satisfied that the necessary criteria have been followed.

The management of the Bureau

The management of the Bureau shall vest in a Board of Directors which consists of–

  • a Chairman appointed by the President;
  • the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for the time being responsible for Statistics;
  • the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for Finance; and
  • five other members appointed by the Minister (responsible for matters relating to Statistics) to represent the bodies for the time being recognized by the Government as representing–
    • the private sector;
    • the non-Governmental organizations;
    • research institutions;
    • the public universities; and
    • the National Council for Population and Development.

Every appointment to the Board shall be by name and by notice in the Kenya Gazette and shall be for a renewable period of three years.

The Board may partner with other bodies within or outside Kenya that it deems desirable or acceptable in furthering the Bureau’s mission.

For more about the Functions of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) check out the Statistics Act(External Link) or visit their website.