Nairobi:Nyandarua: National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in Nyandarua have undergone training on grassroots data management aimed at improving the collection of reliable data for evidence-based planning and policy formulation.
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative is part of Phase II of a programme by the State Department for Economic Planning (SDEP). The programme targets officers and other stakeholders involved in grassroots data management across 25 counties.
The three-day training is being conducted in partnership with the Konza Technopolis Development Authority, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and the State Department for Interior. Nyandarua Central Deputy County Commissioner Kenneth Kiptoo emphasized the government’s commitment to equipping NGAO officers with essential skills for collecting, managing, and reporting grassroots data.
Kiptoo highlighted that 293 NGAO officers are involved in data collection and management, noting that many already possess basic computer skills. He explained that the training would enhance their ability to collect data effectively and promote a coordinated approach to research and reporting.
Caleb Muinde, an economist at the State Department for Economic Planning, stated that the programme is designed to enable NGAO officers to gather data directly from communities and transmit it to designated data analysis centers. The first phase of the programme, which served as a pilot, covered 11 counties, while the current phase targets 25 counties.
Muinde added that the subsequent phase will encompass the remaining counties to facilitate the collection of nationwide data that will inform policy planning. He stressed the significance of reliable grassroots data as the country nears the end of the Vision 2030 period, pointing out that such data would assist the government in assessing progress, identifying gaps, and formulating suitable policies and plans.
The training has reportedly received favorable attendance, with expectations that the three-day programme will thoroughly prepare officers for grassroots data collection. Muinde identified inadequate data collection as a major challenge affecting planning, suggesting that improved grassroots capacity would help overcome this issue.
Under the programme, NGAO officers, including Assistant Chiefs, will gather data from communities and transmit it to designated analysis centers for government planning purposes. Assistant Chief for Gikingi Sub-location, Mirriam Ngotho, expressed that the training had equipped grassroots administrators with the skills necessary to manage community data properly.
Ngotho underscored the importance of reliable community data in identifying vulnerable groups and implementing government programmes, such as Inua Jamii. She stated that the collected data would be forwarded to the government to support planning and service delivery, affirming that they are prepared for effective data management following the training.
The State Department for Economic Planning plans to extend the training to other counties to establish a coordinated grassroots data management system supporting evidence-based national and local development planning.
