Grassroots Data Management Phase II Capacity Building and Systems Management in Kisumu County

The Grassroots Data Management for Evidence-Based Planning Phase II Capacity Building  starts  today Wednesday 30th September, 2026 in Kisumu County.This exercise is being rolled out in 25 counties across the country.

The Capacity Building exercise  brought together National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs) to strengthen their skills and  knowledge  in primary grassroots data collection, management, verification, validation and utilisation,this will support the  decision-making and planning process.

The  purpose of this exercise  is   to establish and institutionalise evidence based planning  and system management  at the grassroots.It will help  in  planning,monitoring and evaluation implementation,resource allocation and  budgeting for development. 

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

In his address, PS Makokha emphasized that the programme is aimed at ensuring  that, Government decision making process  is  evidence based with credible primary data which is accurate and timely   from the grassroots.This is because the  NGAOs provide a strong linkage between communities and the National Government. 

The PS reiterated that,while statistics  from the National Government are critical, primary data provided by NGAOs  is fundamental in  planning,it  offers a more authentic  understanding of development realities, including service delivery priorities, gaps,challenges  and changing Society needs.

PS Makokha outlined 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.

The PS  also emphasized  the  role NGAOs play, given  their direct  working relationship with Communities at the grass roots, he also said that, everything that happens is planned which informs and guides different sectors  in planning and  implementation.

The planning function in the country will be participatory,where the public gives views and  prioritises areas they want implemented .The team to undertake this exercise will  include: all National and County planning Statistical Officers and  officers from the   Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). This will  promote quality   and accuracy data without  duplication.

The  exercise is of great significance, as it comes at the time when the government is writing Kenya's long term plan, Beyond Vision 2030, a development Blue Print  for Kenya.

In attendance were Geoffrey Omoding representing the County Commissioner, Economic Planning officers  and over 300 NGAOs  from Kisumu County among other stakeholders.