KENYA NATIONAL CENSUS
August 27, 2019
The National Census is carried out every 10 years in Kenya. The census is aimed at helping the government know how many people are in each household, to know their employment status, who runs the home between husband and wife, and how many homes are polygamous. This information is used in the allocation of funds for the construction of roads, schools, hospitals, railways and dams. Factories, shopping malls, banks and offices are constructed depending on the number of people living in a particular area. This information also helps to determine the number of male and female residents. Many people migrate from different parts of the country and settle in various places. It becomes hard to know where one was born, their tribe and origin. The census helps determine this information. By requesting the number of children residing in each household, the government is able to determine the fertility and mortality rate of the current population which helps calculate the growth rate. The growth rate calculation helps the government plan for healthcare and other social services.
This year the census exercise kicked off on the 24th of this month. The government urged all the citizens to stay indoors from 6pm onwards for the exercise to take place. Schools were opened yesterday the 26th but the government extended the opening date by another week, so the students in boarding schools could be counted into their family numbers, as well.
Many of the young people who have finished college or Secondary School were rushing to apply for jobs as enumerators for the census. The applicants in every county turned up in huge numbers hoping to get the position. Though it is a one-week exercise, it would provide them with some funds which would help them as they tarmac for jobs. Many were disappointed when they were turned away; the number of applicants far outnumbered the posts required.
Two of our Pokot girls, Alexine and Vivian, were fortunate enough to get the jobs. They will be engaged for one week and after that, will resume their teaching jobs when schools open on the 2nd of September. This is a big privilege for them; they were considered because they had good grades in their form 4 exams and because they have finished college. Getting a Secondary Education in Pokot is not common; most girls drop out at an early age and the majority don’t get a chance to attend school, at all. The illiteracy rate in Pokot is 99 percent. Early marriages and FGM are the major contributors for the female’s lack of schooling. Our girls have proven that education opens many doors.
Choice Club activities will resume when the schools open next week.