Kenya: KNBS conducts a Microdata Outreach and Advocacy Workshop in Nairobi (December 2014)
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in collaboration with ADP/PARIS21 conducted a microdata outreach and advocacy workshop for data producers and users in Nairobi on 4th and 5th of December 2014. The main objectives of the workshop were to (1) promote users’ awareness of data availability and use of microdata (2) expand the best practices of data documentation and dissemination in National Statistical System (NSS), showcasing the Kenyan National Data Archive KeNADA, (3) facilitate user-producer dialogues on availability, accessibility and quality of survey and administrative data, (4) inform users of issues surrounding microdata access and data dissemination policies (5) Identify data gaps and users demand and engage with users. The workshop was attended by about 50 participants for 2 days including the panellists and participants from data producers, survey and administrative data users, researchers and policy evaluators from universities, research centres, INGOs, NGOs, professional associations and line-ministries. In addition, representatives from consumer-goods and market research companies were also participated in the workshop.
The workshop agenda was designed to have a wide representation of as many forms of data production in the country. A producer panel provided presentations from major official data producers in NSS. Each shred perspectives on their experience, practices and challenges in disseminating disaggregated data - both survey and administrative data. The Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MoPHS), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and Civil Registration Department (CRD) demonstrated their data production and dissemination systems. Likewise, a user panel was set up presenting user perspectives. Presentations were provided by key data user and policy research agencies namely Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPRRA). The data demand in research and academic use in universities were provided by Tegemeo Institute of Agriculture Policy and Development (Egerton University), Population studies and Research Institute (University of Nairobi) and Institute of Development Studies (University of Nairobi).
In addition to the traditional data production and dissemination methods, the workshop also provided a forum for discussion on new innovations and development in data collection, management and dissemination processes. Representatives from the private sector presented innovations in data capture and dissemination. These included: Kimetrica, a global research institute regional office based in Nairobi demonstrated new tools and methods for on-line monitoring and evaluation using Android, CAPI, near real-time data systems, and data warehousing for high frequency data; DataScience, a Data Analysis and Research Company established in Kenya showed on new methods in data visualization for understanding and using available and new data to gain insights for better planning and resource allocation; The African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) presented on a tool for Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and an effective system for Policy Engagement and Communication Strategy.
The KNBS has also introduced its current data dissemination policy and collected feedback for its revision in near future. The presentations from both user and producer panels were followed by a fruitful discussion among the stakeholders for further improvement of the microdata dissemination systems in Kenya. The workshop was very productive in creating user awareness of the NADA and microdata use and it went further to introducing the various data production and dissemination systems in NSS and identifying major data gaps and users demand.
Mr. Zachary Mwangi the DG of KNBS opened the workshop and delivered an opening remark. A presentation on ADP/IHSN tools and guidelines and importance of microdata outreach and advocacy program was given by ADP Program Officer, Mr. Mahesh Subedi. A keynote speech was delivered by Eng. Peter O. Mangiti, Planning Department, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Kenya. The workshop was co-facilitated by Mr. Cleophas Kiio, Director ICT of KNBS and the ADP Program Officer, Mr. Mahesh Subedi.
