The government is set to overhaul the Statistics Act (2006) as part of a Sh19.1 billion plan aimed at transforming the way Kenya gathers and shares data.

The wide-ranging reforms are anchored in the Second Kenya Strategy for Development of Statistics (KSDS II), which was recently unveiled by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

A key part of the strategy is the creation of a dedicated Statistics Fund worth Sh6.3 billion, equivalent to 0.15 per cent of the national budget, based on a recommendation by African Union heads of state and endorsed during the Second Harmonization of Statistics in Africa conference.

The fund will support statistics-related initiatives across government institutions.

To improve coordination and standardization, all ministries, departments, agencies, and state corporations will be required to set up dedicated statistics units.

This will help address inconsistencies caused by the current fragmented data system, where multiple agencies often release conflicting figures on similar issues.

“The Statistics Act has laid the groundwork for our national statistical system, but it must now evolve to address current data challenges and international standards,” reads part of the KSDS II strategy.

The proposed revision of the Act will go hand in hand with updates to the National Statistical Policy Framework.

Together, these reforms aim to modernize data operations by incorporating new sources such as citizen-generated content, big data, geospatial analytics, and administrative records into official statistics.

KSDS II also proposes the launch of a national Data Literacy Programme to equip non-statisticians in government with basic data interpretation and usage skills.

Modeled on global initiatives like the World Bank’s Data Literacy for Policymakers, the programme will ensure more effective use of statistical data in public decision-making.

In addition, a statistical training institute is in the pipeline, with a proposed budget of Sh405 million. The institution is expected not only to build professional capacity but also to generate income through training, consultancy, and partnerships with academic and private sector entities.

According to the KNBS, the previous KSDS I strategy successfully integrated ministries, departments, agencies, and county governments into the national statistical planning system.

However, the agency notes that the absence of formal data-sharing protocols has led to duplication, gaps, and inefficiencies in data collection and use.

“To overcome these challenges, formal agreements among institutions are necessary to streamline collaboration and ensure data serves national development goals,” the strategy notes.

Ultimately, the government hopes these reforms will create a more robust, coordinated, and responsive national data ecosystem that can effectively guide planning, policy, and development priorities in a rapidly evolving information landscape.