Grassroots Data Management Phase II In Embu County

The Grassroots Data Management for Evidence-Based Planning Phase II Training kicked off today in Embu County, bringing together National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) across the county to strengthen grassroots data systems for evidence-based planning and development monitoring.

The training, running from 22nd to 24th September 2026, is being conducted under the theme, “Strengthening Grassroots Data Systems for Evidence-Based Planning and Development Monitoring.” The programme seeks to strengthen the quality, consistency, timeliness and use of grassroots information in Government planning, resource allocation, implementation, monitoring and decision-making.

In a Speech delivered on behalf of the Principal Secretary, State Department for Economic Planning, by Jacinter Mumbetsa, an Economist in the State Department, the PS emphasized that Government decisions must be informed by timely, reliable and credible information from the ground.

The PS noted that grassroots information can help Government identify service delivery gaps, emerging vulnerabilities, economic opportunities and implementation challenges that may not immediately be visible in aggregate statistics.

The remarks further emphasized that collecting data is only the starting point, noting that information must be accurate, validated, timely, appropriately managed, accessible and systematically analysed before it can be translated into actionable evidence for policy, planning and resource allocation.

NGAO officers play a key role in the initiative due to their presence and close engagement with communities at the local level. They are well positioned to identify emerging issues, capture critical information from the ground and facilitate its timely flow to inform Government planning, policy and decision-making.

Phase II of the programme is being implemented across 25 counties, building on lessons and experiences from Phase I, which was undertaken in 11 counties in June 2026. The initiative seeks to build a stronger evidence chain from the grassroots to county planning and ultimately national policy and decision-making.

In attendance were the Embu County Commissioner Mr. Morris Wanyonyi, Representatives from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Embu NGAO officers among others.