Why census findings were withheld

The government cancelled the release of preliminary census results following doubts about abnormally high figures in some regions.

A source in Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s office, who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media, said alarming figures were detected from some areas.

A team of experts will conduct a verification survey to confirm the truth about the figures in favour of some regions and communities, he added.

The chief executive officer of Africa Corporate Governance Advisory Services, Mr Karugor Gatamah, said: “The credibility of the national census is at stake with the ongoing saga over the release of the results.”

Planning minister Wycliffe Oparanya said the postponement had been occasioned, in part, by the current implementation by the government of various important national projects, which require more comprehensive information than would have been released in the provisional report.

While postponing the release on December 31, Mr Oparanya cited subdued government activity and the unavailability of development partners.

A researcher at the Institute of Policy Analysis and Research, Dr John Akoten, said the delay casts doubts on the credibility of the results, which are meant to guide development planning in the country.

This, according to Dr Akoten, is especially dangerous at a time when Kenya’s political environment is heating up as politicians jostle for alliances ahead of the 2012 General Election.

Planned reforms

Already, experts led by the London- based Economic Intelligence Unit are warning of heightened political activity in the country this year, which could scuttle implementation of planned reforms key in economic recovery.

The source in the Prime Minister’s office said that proper demographic skills will be used to investigate and harmonise the figures.

“I can confidently tell you that the problem is about figures and statistics. Some people in particular areas have become too many all of a sudden,” he added.