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Functions of Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)

  • Author Gĩthĩnji
  • Updated on:

The Functions of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) are important in understanding its existence. 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 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).

The Bureau is a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall, in its corporate name, be capable of–

  • suing and being sued;
  • taking, purchasing or otherwise acquiring, holding, charging or
  • disposing of movable and immovable property;
  • borrowing or lending money; and
  • doing or performing all other things or acts for the furtherance of the provisions of KNBS Act which may be lawfully done or performed by a body corporate.
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Functions of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)

Section 4 of the Statistics Act says the Bureau 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, coordinating and supervising all official statistical programmes undertaken within the national statistical system;
  • establishing standards and promoting the use of best practices and methods in the production and dissemination of statistical information across the national statistical system;
  • collecting, compiling, analysing, abstracting and disseminating statistical information on the matters specified in the First Schedule;
  • conducting the Population and Housing Census every ten years, and such other censuses and surveys as the Board may determine; and
  • maintaining a comprehensive and reliable national socio-economic database.

Establishment and composition of the Board

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 Coordinating Agency for Population and Development.

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

Functions of the Board

The functions of the Board are to–

  • formulate and monitor the implementation of policies pertaining to the Bureau;
  • determine from time to time, the structure and staffing levels of the Bureau;
  • recruit suitable staff for the Bureau upon such terms and conditions as it may determine;
  • promote professionalism and discipline among the staff of the Bureau by facilitating professional training;
  • approve the Bureau’s corporate plan, annual work programmes and annual budgets; and
  • submit to the Minister a quarterly report on the activities of the Bureau.

The Board may collaborate with such other bodies within or outside Kenya as it may consider desirable or appropriate in furtherance of the purpose for which the Bureau is established.

For more about the Functions of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) check out the Statistics Act and its website at knbs.or.ke.

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