Reforming the statistical system of Kenya: policy implications for the development of building construction statistics

Abstract

Kenya is in the process of reforming its national statistical system that has been catering to the various sectors of the economy including the building construction sub-sector. This paper evaluates opportunities that the reforms may bring for the improvement of building construction statistics. It starts by a conceptual review of the pertinent issues that generally constitute a challenge to statistical frameworks for construction. These issues are to do with:scope and coverage, institutional governance, comprehensive information system and the informal sector. The reforms to the statistical system in Kenya through the enactment of a new Statistics Act are then considered against their potential for tackling the pertinent issues in building construction statistics as listed above. The paper concludes that the reforms augur well for the improvement of building construction statistics in Kenya but more need to be done to translate the legislative provisions into actionable policy framework.