The State Department for Economic Planning has launched Phase II of the Training on Grassroots Data Management for Evidence-Based Planning in Turkana County. The three-day session, held at a Lodwar hotel, targets officers and stakeholders involved in grassroots data management. County Commissioner, Deputy County Commissioners, Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs, and Assistant Chiefs are among the participants. The training was officially launched by Mr. Julius Kavita, the County Commissioner.
The programme aims to ensure the government receives timely, reliable, and credible information from the grassroots. According to Dr. Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, the government will use this information for planning, resource allocation, implementation, monitoring, and decision-making. Dr. Omollo emphasized the importance of timely information sharing in decision-making, noting that data must translate into action and measurable results.
Consultant Alphonse Obonyo of the World Governance Center stated that the exercise is meant to build the capacity of National Government Administration Officers (NGAO). The State Department for Economic Planning is collaborating with Konza Technopolis, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, and the State Department for Interior. The goal is to streamline grassroots data management, enabling data to be escalated from sub-location to national government for planning.
Previously, officers submitted information and reports in different formats, making analysis for decision-making difficult. The government is now rolling out a structured data collection and management system with a standardized format. This will reduce the time it takes for information to reach decision-makers. NGAO officers will use an app to collect, store, and manage data securely, in line with the Data Protection Act.
Obonyo commended the participants for their active engagement and expressed confidence that the training will strengthen national planning. The programme's success will be judged by the outcomes it delivers, not merely by the number of officers trained. The training is expected to enhance the capacity of NGAOs to collect and manage data effectively.
The training is a collaboration between the State Department for Economic Planning and other government agencies. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Konza Technopolis are providing technical expertise to support the development of a robust data management system. The programme is part of a broader effort to improve governance and service delivery in Turkana County.
The initiative is expected to improve decision-making and resource allocation in Turkana County. By leveraging technology and standardizing data collection, the government aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its programmes. The training of NGAOs is a critical step in this process, enabling them to play a more active role in data-driven decision-making.
Key points
- The training aims to build the capacity of National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) in grassroots data management.
- The programme seeks to ensure the government receives timely, reliable, and credible information from the grassroots.
- A structured data collection and management system with a standardized format is being rolled out to reduce the time it takes for information to reach decision-makers.
