The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has revealed that it supports the application of two communities, the Pare and the Chuka, in seeking tribal recognition in Kenya.
While appearing before a committee session to present submissions of the petition, the KNBS Director General, Dr Macdonald Obudho, outlined several reasons why the bureau was supporting the petitions.
For starters, he emphasised the importance of accurate ethnic and tribal data, particularly in a culturally diverse country like Kenya, noting that such data is crucial for various purposes.
According to Obudho, these include resource allocation, representation and inclusion, policy formulation, cultural preservation, social integration, and conflict resolution.
“Over the years, various communities living in Kenya have sought to be recognised as distinct tribes or sub-tribes,” Obudho stated.
“This drive is often motivated by the desire to access statistical data, claim rightful entitlements, and promote community interests.”
He further informed the committee of former stateless communities like the Makonde, Kenyans of Asian heritage, Shona, and Pemba, who have since received recognition as distinct ethnic groups in Kenya within the last decade, following formal petitions to the government.
In this case, the Pare, who primarily reside in Taveta Constituency, Taita Taveta County, were listed among the 6,272 stateless persons during the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC).
The Shona, Wanyarwanda, and Wapemba, who had also been considered stateless at the time, have since been granted their tribal recognition.
As for the Chuka, they are among the nine subtribes of Meru, who reside in the Tharaka Nithi County. Other subtribes include Igoji, Imenti, Tigania, Mitine, Igembe, Mwimbi, Muthambi, and Tharaka.
The committee raised concerns over the continued statelessness of a section of Kenyans, with the committee chair, Janet Sitienei, stating, “Considering Article 16 of the Constitution outlines the conditions for citizenship, why has the Government neglected communities that have lived on this land long before national borders were drawn?”
Clarifying that the mandate of recognising and gazetting ethnic communities is with the Ministry of Interior and not with KNBS, Obudho urged Parliament to expedite consideration of the two petitions and to collaborate with the ministry to ensure recognition of all communities ahead of the 2029 national census.
“Statistical accuracy is best achieved when data is collected at the most distinct level. Avoiding the generalisation of communities will enhance equality and ensure that all Kenyans are accounted for,” he stated.
