By Shadrack Nyakoe
A show down looms between security agents and anyone who will disrupt the census process that begun at 5 pm on Saturday evening.
Several Youths across the country have vowed to violate the directive in order to watch the Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal Premier League matches.
Bars, Casinos and Discos were closed at 5 pm.
They will also be closed on Sunday from 5pm to ensure accurate and smooth census.
The government also clarified that Disco matangas are part of certain ceremonies that that must end by 5pm to allow Kenyans to go back home early for the census exercise.
Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna said all other businesses will continue to operate normally.
Oguna urged employers to allow their staff members, when possible, to leave early for the census.
He said that a Call Center has been set up for reporting of any emerging issues in the field, monitoring of the process and inquiries and gave the hotline number.
“The hotline Toll free number is: 0800-221-020.This will allow us to respond to all emergencies,” he added.
He said that the centers will be open for 24 hours.
“The Call Center will remain open for 24 hrs. for the entire duration of the census process from 24th-31st August 2019. The facility is to ensure that the census process proceeds smoothly and that Kenyans are able to be attended to promptly during the census period,” he said.
He added that Huduma number and the Census are all important urging everyone to warmly welcome the census people.
“Huduma number and Census processes complement each other. However, each serves a different purpose. While Huduma Namba is the single source of truth of individual identity, Census is broader and entails compilation of diverse socio-economic and demographic data for planning purposes by Government. Additionally, Huduma number is a continuous activity to register people while Census is a periodic count of people. Therefore, one cannot replace the other,” he said.
He said that Individuals in hotels will however fill a short questionnaire to safeguard their privacy adding that the information will be subsequently captured electronically within the premises of the hotels.
“Information for all those in hotels, travelers and street families will be captured using a short questionnaire and this will strictly be done on the 24th August 2019,” he said.
He said adequate security is in place.