Some hoteliers in South Coast are reluctant to take part in statistical data collection by a Government agency. Only 17 out of the 28 tourist hotels in the popular tourist destination co-operated with officials from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Kwale assistant County Commissioner Kenneth Gitonga said yesterday. The official, who represented County Commissioner Kutswa Olaka at this year’s celebrations to mark the African Statistics Day at Baraza Park, said officials from KNBS face difficulties accessing some of the hotels to collect data. The bureau often carries out research and survey in different parts of the country. “The information we have is that the bureau has been facing challenges when dealing with some of the hoteliers who are among the major culprits in failing to provide data in this county,” said Mr Gitonga.
He also took issue with some residents for refusing to co-operate with KNBS, citing the enumeration of children with disabilities, which was frustrated by parents who hid the minors. COUNTY LEVEL Mr Gitonga stressed the importance of statistics both at the national and county level in planning for socio-economic development. approached for data. “The hotels are expected to provide data but some of the establishments don’t co-operate,” he added. The hotels seem uncomfortable with the exercise apparently because they feel that they may be revealing their business secrets. But according to the Statistics Act, the bureau cannot publish or release any statistics that could disclose information obtained relating to any identifiable business without the written consent of that business.
©Alleastafrica and The Standard
Hotels in Kenya’s south Coast accused of withholding data from agency
