In a bid to enhance the quality and comprehensiveness of data for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) reporting in Kenya, the SDGs Kenya Forum and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This strategic partnership aims to bridge critical data gaps and promote the use of Citizen-Generated Data (CGD) alongside official statistics, ensuring more accurate and inclusive reporting on Kenya’s progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Macdonald Obudho, Director General of KNBS, emphasized the importance of this collaboration stating that the initiative demonstrates commitment to working together to improve data availability, usage, and quality for sustainable development.
“The MoU will enable us to harness the strength of both institutions, creating a robust and inclusive data ecosystem that supports evidence-based policy formulation and decision-making in Kenya,” sadi Dr Obudho.
The SDGs Kenya Forum, a platform dedicated to advancing the 2030 Agenda, is pivotal in coordinating efforts among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), government entities, the private sector, academia, media, and development partners.
The Forum has strongly advocated for the inclusion of CGD in national reporting, recognizing its potential to provide insights from marginalized and hard-to-reach communities often underrepresented in official statistics
Florence Syevuo, Executive Director of the SDGs Kenya Forum, statintg, “we are taking a decisive step towards strengthening our collaboration, reaffirming our commitment to improving the quality and accessibility of data for sustainable development.”
Syevuo elaborated on the Forum’s mission, stating, “The Forum champions citizen-generated data to supplement official statistics, ensuring comprehensive and quality reporting for Voluntary National Reviews.
We need to ensure that we are not leaving communities behind; we are not leaving citizens behind. How do we combine all data in the national statistical system for the bigger picture?”
