The new Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Director General Macdonald Obudho has said he will focus on ensuring quality data standards, timeliness in reporting and embracing new data sources.
Speaking after his appointment by the board, Mr. Obudho affirmed that there is enough room for improvements to the international levels of statistical management.
“There is still room for improvement and comparison internationally. We want to ensure the level of our data collection goes up as well as the way we disseminate,” said Mr Obudho.
He said by embracing new data sources, the agency will also avoid disruptions like the those caused by the Covid-19 pandemic leading to delayed release of the second quarter GDP data.
Mr Obudho replaces Zachary Mwangi whose term came to an end on Friday after eight years at the helm.
The statistics office is at the helm of digitizing data collection to ensure speedy release of reports.
The new DG has served at KNBS since 1995, as director in charge of population and social statistics.
He was part of the team that delivered the 2019 National Census.
He introduced the new set of data like foreign investment surveys, economic and social indicators and the recently included quarterly labour force survey.