The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics has inaugurated a technical working team that will oversee the collection of citizen generated data.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.
KNBS Statistical Coordination Methods Director Benjamin Avisevwa said Citizen generated data is driven by the people and is from the people.
"This data is usually collected by the civil society groups and all the non-state actors. The information that comes through is what we refer to as Citizen-Generated Data(CGD)," he said.
Avisevwa said KNBS realised that it is important to have inclusive data like one contained in civil societies' official reports.
He said KNBS has come up with a way to validate the data that comes from civil societies as Citizen-Generated Data.
Avisevwa acknowledged that sometimes the government may not be able to collect all the data that is necessary to provide indicators of an agenda.
"Some of the indicators that may not be have been collected may be collected by these civil society organisations and we may be able to use that information. The information is first validated to ensure it is fit for official reporting," Avisevwa said.
KNBS Director General McDonald George Obudho said by actively involving Kenyans in the data-generation process, KNBS can capture a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of their needs, aspirations and challenges.
"It is through this collaborative approach that we can truly address the existing data gaps and develop strategies that resonate with the realities of our communities," Obudho said.
He said filling the data gaps demands immediate attention. Obudho said the significance of citizen-generated data lies not only in its ability to fill gaps, but also in its power to amplify the voices of the people.
"We are not just inaugurating a committee; we are championing a platform that empowers individuals to be active contributors to the decision-making processes that shape their lives," Obudho said.
Open Institute Executive Director Al Kags said citizens have needs in terms of data that enables them to represent themselves even in counties.
"A group of citizens in a county could come together and collect data about their own village and find what gaps there are in development in the area. Because they have data, they can go to the county government and say we need X and Y as a matter of priority and we have data to prove so," Kags said.
In his opinion, CGD will give power to citizens to be part of decision making on development.
KNBS National Statistical System Assistant Manager Sarah Omache said the purpose of the Technical Working Committee on citizen generated data is to strengthen stakeholder collaboration in adoption of quality CGD as an alternative source of data for official reporting where data gaps exist.
"Especially in reporting on Sustainable Development Goals. The committee will focus on the reuse of CGD to fill data gaps linked to development agendas at global and national level," she said.
Omache said the committee will meet every quarter and the meetings will be chaired by KNBS.
She said the committee will be mandated to identify and prioritise data gaps in official statistics where CGD data can be used for official reporting.
"They will also contribute towards updating of the national SDGs indicator framework among others," she said.
Organisations like Open Institute, USAWA Agenda, GROOTS Kenya, SDG's Kenya Forum, UN Women, Paris 21 , GPSDD and World Bank each have a member in the Citizen-Generated Data committee.
The committee will also comprise of representatives from KNBS, selected state ministries and relevant development partners.