Grassroots Data Management Phase II Training Official Opening In Kiambu County

The Grassroots Data Management for Evidence-Based Planning Phase II Training commenced today, Wednesday, 23rd September, 2026 in Kiambu County, as the capacity-building programme continues its rollout across twenty (25) Counties.

The training has brought together National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to strengthen their capacity in grassroots data collection, management, verification, validation and utilisation to support quality planning and decision-making.

While representing the Economic Planning Principal Secretary, Dr. Bonface Makokha, the Economic Planning Director General, Dr. Masini Ichwara officiated the opening Ceremony. 

In his keynote address, PS Makokha emphasized that the programme is aimed at ensuring Government decisions are informed by timely, reliable, credible and relevant information from the grassroots. 

The PS highlighted that while National statistics and Administrative data provide an important foundation for planning, grassroots information offers a more locally grounded understanding of development realities, including service delivery gaps and changing Society needs.

PS Makokha emphasized on five key guiding principles of grassroots data management which include: Accuracy and objectivity; consistency and standardisation; verification and quality assurance; Timeliness; integrity and responsible data management.

He further outlined the important role of NGAOs, given their close engagement with Communities and encouraged them to work closely with National and County planning Statistical Officers from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to promote effective data standards and avoid duplication.

On his end, the DG Ichwara emphasized that the success of the programme will not be measured by the number of Officers trained but by the quality and usefulness of the information generated thereafter, particularly whether it is credible and actionable.

The initiative is intended to establish a stronger evidence-to-action system where credible grassroots information guides planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation together with contributing to better development results for Kenyans.

Importantly, the Programme comes at a critical moment as Kenya strengthens its National planning architecture and prepares for the Country’s post-2030 development framework.

In attendance were: The Director Economic Planning, Terry Kimonye, NGAO Officers from Kiambu County among others.