The Garissa High Court has nullified the 2019 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) census results for Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa counties, citing significant irregularities. Justice John Onyiego ruled that KNBS failed to maintain data integrity, resulting in inaccurate population figures.
The court’s decision affects several sub-counties, including Mandera North, Mandera West, and Wajir East. It is seen as a victory for North Eastern leaders, who argued that the census did not accurately reflect the region’s population, leading to unfair resource distribution.
KNBS has been directed to conduct a fresh mini-census within one year, with a deadline of January 28, 2026. Until then, government agencies must rely on 2009 census data for planning and resource allocation.
The court also noted drastic population declines in certain areas, which petitioners argued were unrealistic without major calamities to explain the drop. The ruling challenges KNBS’s explanations, which the court deemed insufficient and inconsistent.
This ruling has political and economic implications, as population figures determine constituency boundaries and revenue allocation. The decision means that the 2009 census will remain the official reference until new data is provided.