The 2019 National Housing and Population Census exercise kicked off smoothly in Mombasa County on Saturday.
A spot check by Kenya News Agency sunday established that the exercise in the coastal city in all the six sub-counties started as scheduled at 6pm.
A total of 4, 293 enumerators, 445 content supervisors and 37 Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) supervisor were at hand to conduct the exercise in the sub-counties of Mvita, Likoni, Nyali, Kisauni, Changamwe and Jomvu.
Most of the bars and other social places heeded the government directive to close their premises by 5pm before the start of the countrywide exercise.
“I am happy that the exercise had taken off smoothly in all our six sub-counties,” said Mombasa County Commissioner (CC) Mr. Gilbert Kitiyo.
Kitiyo who spoke Sunday at his official Kizingo residence after being counted said the government had put necessary measures including adequate security to ensure the exercise was successful.
“We have beefed up security in hot spot areas to ward off any attempt by criminals to interfere or disrupt this important national activity,” added the CC.
He urged the area residents to cooperate fully with census officials and give correct information to help the government capture valid and credible data.
Kitiyo assured the residents that there will be adequate security during the entire census duration to ensure it is conducted in a smooth manner.
“We have made arrangements for adequate security and other necessary logistics for the success of this important event,” said the Administrator.
The CC said enumerators have official badges and reflector jackets for clear identification and that they have been recruited from their respective areas and therefore known to the locals.
He added that the officials were being accompanied by village elders to ward off intruders or those with intentions to commit crime.
“We have also increased police patrols to ensure that the collection of crucial data takes place in a peaceful environment,” added Kitiyo.
He also warned census officials against divulging information to unauthorised persons saying they must adhere to the “Oath of Secrecy,” they took prior to the exercise.
“Census data is strictly confidential and officials must conduct themselves in a professional and accountable manner,” added the County Commissioner.
The Administrator also disclosed that a total of 4, 293 village elders had been recruited to accompany census officials in their respective areas.
By Mohamed Hassan
