Vihiga:Economic Planning Principal Secretary Dr. Bonface Makokha visited Vihiga County to review the training of National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) on data collection aimed at improving national planning and management.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Makokha highlighted the State Department for Economic Planning’s role in coordinating national, county, and sectoral planning, monitoring project implementation, and evaluating outcomes. He noted a gap in grassroots data accuracy, prompting the partnership with the State Department for Interior to train NGAO officers in data management.
The training focuses on equipping officers with skills to collect uniform data while adhering to privacy laws, thus enabling informed government decision-making. Dr. Makokha explained that the initiative began last financial year in 11 counties and has now expanded to 25 additional counties.
During his visit, Dr. Makokha gathered feedback from trainees in Vihiga, affirming the training’s impact on enhancing government service delivery and personal development. He stressed the importance of data management and announced plans to involve community champions in future training sessions for sustainability.
He reported significant progress towards Vision 2030, with a current implementation rate of 61.9%, highlighting substantial advancements since 2022. Upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations will showcase these achievements.
The training has transitioned from a manual system to a digital Grassroot Data Collection System, utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for real-time project tracking.
Dr. Makokha also addressed the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Western Kenya, particularly Vihiga, outlining plans for research through the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) to understand and address GBV prevalence.
During the visit, Dr. Makokha met with Vihiga County Commissioner Jeremiah Gicheru, who emphasized timely government project implementation and addressed the rise in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases. Gicheru urged victims to report incidents through legal channels and assured community collaboration to combat SGBV.
