•The Bureau is the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analysing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya.
•The Bureau is also responsible for among other things establishing standards and ensuring the use of best practices and methods in the production and dissemination of statistical information across the national statistical system and collecting, compiling, analyzing, abstracting and disseminating statistical information.
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Former Majority leader Aden Duale on Wednesday sought a statement from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics referred to as “the Bureau” in performance of its functions.
The Bureau is the principal agency of the Government for collecting, analysing and disseminating statistical data in Kenya.
The Bureau is also responsible for among other things establishing standards and ensuring the use of best practices and methods in the production and dissemination of statistical information.
In his submission on Wednesday in Parliament, Duale said the Bureau has acted in breach of the Statistics Act, 2006 by delaying and refusing to release very critical Reports.
He listed the reports as the Annual Economic Survey 2021. This was to be released by 30th April 2021 to inform Parliament and the National Treasury on the processing of annual budget estimates for the FY 2021/2022 and the medium term. The Survey 2021 has not been published.
The Leading Economic Indicators. This is the monthly Leading Economic Indicators report that highlights changes in Consumer Price Indices (CPI) and inflation, interest and exchange rates.
“The Bureau has persistently delayed releasing the leading economic indicators and although the Report was due in February, 2021, it is yet to be published,” Duale said.
The Quarterly Gross Domestic Product report. The Bureau is required to publish a quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) report within ninety days after the end of each quarter.
The QGDP report is critical in informing the government and private sector how various sectors of the economy performed and guide both the government and private sector in planning.
However, the Bureau is yet to publish the fourth QGDP report for the calendar year 2020 and the first quarter for the calendar year 2021.
And the Quarterly and Annual Activities Reports.
Duale said there are also delays in the release of quarterly officials statistics reports such as Quarterly Labour Survey Reports and Quarterly Balance of Payment Reports.
“The surveys reports inform policy formulation, planning, budgeting, and oversight by the three arms of government including Parliament,” he said.
Duale said the delay and non-release of these critical reports if it continues unchecked, risks jeopardising the operations of the Government.
“… and more so Parliament which relies on such information in performance of its functions including approving the national budget and formulation of legislation,” he said.
Duale said the Board of the Bureau appoints officers for the proper and efficient discharge of the functions of the Bureau.
But noted that the Board has practiced favouritism, nepotism, and non-adherence to regional balance in recruiting and appointing officers of the Bureau.
“Honourable Speaker, it is on account of this blatant breach of the law that I therefore seek for a Statement,” he said.
Duale wants to know reasons for the delay and non-release of official statistics.
“… Why the Board should not be disbanded for neglect of duty for failure to produce quarterly and annual operations report of the Board as required under section 6 as read with section 14 of the Statistics Act, 2006,” he said.
He also wants to know the total number of staff appointed by the Board in the last five years.
This includes internal promotions done indicating among other things the number of staff hired, gender, age and county of birth.
“The annual budget allocation to the Bureau for the last five years indicating the manner in which it has been utilised in support of the operations and functions of the Bureau; and the steps the Bureau has taken to support counties in the production of county statistics,” he said.