The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is engaging counties in nationwide consultations on a new law that seeks to elevate it into an authority and expand its mandate in data management and regulation.
The proposed Statistics Bill 2026 will repeal the KNBS Act of 2006 and establish a strengthened institution tasked with overseeing all statistical matters in the country.
Head of Legal Affairs at the KNBS Linda Olwenyi said the reforms will introduce a Statistics Fund to improve financing for data collection and strengthen planning and resource allocation.
She spoke in Eldoret during a public participation forum that brought together residents and officials from Turkana, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
Olwenyi said the Bill aims to align statistical governance with the 2010 Constitution while addressing emerging data needs and strengthening coordination between national and county governments.
“The view of the public is that KNBS becomes an authority on matters of statistics and uses data to drive development planning and resource allocation,” she said.
She noted that under the current framework, county roles in statistics are not clearly defined, leading to inconsistencies between national and county data.
The proposed law seeks to establish county statistics offices with clearly defined functions, staffing structures and funding mechanisms.
Olwenyi said the Statistics Fund will ensure sustainable financing for both national and county-level data systems, improving reliability and consistency.
She added that the reforms are expected to be finalised by the end of the year ahead of the next national census, which will also incorporate biometric data systems.
