Kisumu: Kisumu County has launched its first County Statistical Abstract to strengthen how the devolved unit plans, budgets, and allocates resources by grounding decisions in accurate, verified data.
According to Kenya News Agency, the publication, developed with support from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), brings together key indicators on population, education, health, infrastructure, economy, governance, and other sectors. KNBS Director General Dr. Macdonald Obudho described the abstract as an indispensable planning tool that will help Kisumu align its development priorities with actual needs on the ground.
Dr. Obudho emphasized the importance of the document, stating it provides comprehensive statistics for planning, helping departments identify gaps and determine where investments will have the greatest impact. He noted that Kisumu now becomes the ninth county in Kenya to develop a statistical abstract, with 36 others working towards producing their own versions for 2025.
He stressed the necessity of accurate data for planning, highlighting that decisions such as building new health facilities or deploying personnel must be based on clear indicators. Misallocating resources poses a risk without proper statistics, he added.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili remarked that the document will inform major planning instruments, including the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), annual budgets, and the Annual Development Plan (ADP). He provided examples of how the data will guide interventions, especially in education and infrastructure, and strengthen Kisumu’s case for national revenue and donor support.
Dr. Owili also mentioned that the county will use disease burden data to lobby for increased investment from the national government and development partners. He stated that statistics form the basis for revenue allocation and sharing.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning Mr. George Okoth Okong’o described the abstract as a live document that will be refined with user feedback. He called on residents, businesses, researchers, and organizations to actively use the publication and provide insights for future improvements.
Mr. Okong’o assured that the county will continue updating the document to reflect emerging priorities, demographic changes, and new data as Kisumu deepens its commitment to evidence-based governance.
