he Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have expanded by 5.6 per cent in 2015 which was a slight improvement compared to a 5.3 per cent growth in 2014. This growth was mainly supported by a stable macroeconomic environment and improvement in outputs of agriculture; construction; finance and insurance and real estate. However, growth slowed in a number of sectors including; information and communication, mining and quarrying, and wholesale and retail trade. Similarly, growth in taxes on products slowed during the review period. The growth of accommodation and food services contracted by 1.3 per cent,a less severe performance compared to a revised decline of 16.7 per cent in 2014.
The growth in agriculture was mainly supported by improved weather condition that resulted in significant increases in output of maize, horticultural produce and livestock. However, heavy rains in 2015 were unfavorable to cultivation of some crops like potatoes and tomatoes. Nevertheless the significance of crops that were favoured by the weather far outweighed that of crops negatively impacted upon, resulting in an impressive growth of 5.6 per cent in the agriculture sector.
Construction recorded the fastest growth of 13.6 per cent in 2015 compared to 13.1 per cent in 2014. Growth in construction activities was mainly driven by the ongoing public infrastructure development coupled with the resilient private sector’s expansion in the real estate sector. The financial and insurance sector maintained a robust expansion to grow at 8.7 per cent in 2015 from 8.3 per cent in 2014. This growth was mirrored by a 19.2 per cent rise in the total domestic credit to KSh 2,830.5 billion in December 2015 compared to a growth of 16.1 per cent in December 2014.
Key macroeconomic indicators remained relatively stable and supportive of the growth during the year under review. Overall inflation eased from 6.9 per cent in 2014 to 6.6 per cent in 2015 mainly due to lower prices of energy and transport. Monthly inflation rates fluctuated between 5.5 per cent and 8.0 per cent but were largely contained within the Central Bank’s target throughout the year. Generally, the Shilling depreciated against its major trading currencies as reflected by the weighted trade index which worsened by 5.7 per cent during the review period. The Shilling was mainly supported by a significant fall in the international oil prices as the country cut-back expenditure on importation of petroleum fuels and increased diaspora remittances. However, lower earnings from the tourism sector impacted negatively on the exchange rate of the Shilling in 2015.
In response to rising inflation at the beginning of the year and instability of the shilling, the monetary authorities adjusted the Central Bank Rate (CBR) from 8.50 per cent to 10.0 per cent in June and later to 11.5 per cent in July 2015. The weighted average interest rates on commercial banks loans and advances rose by 1.40 percentage points to 17.45 per cent in December 2015 compared to 15.99 per cent in December 2014. The index of stocks traded at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) declined significantly from a high of 5,346 points in the first quarter of 2015 to 4,040 points in December 2015.
In 2015, the current account balance improved largely due to a decline in the import bill against a substantial growth in export earnings. The decrease in the import bill was mainly due to the fall in the international oil prices. The growth in export earnings was largely driven by improved prices for some commodities which more than offset the effects of the fall in quantities of export. However, the country’s export growth was curtailed by suppressed external demand.
The effects of the fall in fuel prices were experienced across most of the industries, with the main beneficiary being transport and storage where there was a significant decline in costs of production. Other sectors that significantly gained from the lower fuel prices include construction and thermal generation of electricity.
Agricultural Statistics refer to a branch of economic statistics that deals with the collection, processing and analysis of data on domesticated plants and animals. Rural statistics refer to broad range of statistics (economic, social, demographic, agricultural,etc.) covering the rural areas of a country. In this case rural statistics refer to those statistics that are agriculture related.
Agriculture sector is the backbone of Kenya’s economy. It contributes about 25 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Kenya and is the source of livelihood for most of the rural population; as such it is inevitably the key to food security and reduction of poverty. Agriculture is not only key to economic growth of Kenya but also the determinant of equity in development and is fundamental to reducing poverty and hunger.
Over the years, in order to improve the agricultural sector, Kenya has developed several policy documents the main ones being: Kenya Vision 2030 (2008-2030) which is the long term development blueprint for the country. Its aim is to transform Kenya to a newly industrializing middle income country providing a high quality life to its citizens by 2030. The Vision was motivated by a collective aspiration for a better society in Kenya by 2030. Implementation of the Vision would also enable achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Kenya.
Other agricultural policy documents developed over time included: Kenya’s Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture (launched in 2004); Agricultural Sector Development Strategy (2010-2020); National Horticulture Policy, 2012; Fisheries Policy, 2008; National Livestock Policy, 2008; Kenya Forest Policy, 2008; Cooperative Development Policy, 2008; Food and Nutrition Security Policy, 2011; etc.
Credible data is required to inform and undertake the planning process; compilation of reliable national accounts; monitor sector performance; monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programmes and contribute to the decision-making process. Agricultural data is required by a wide spectrum of stakeholders ranging from decision-makers in government, the private sector, academia for research and teaching and the donor community.
To enable monitoring and evaluation of the performance of agricultural development policies, through various indicators, it was imperative that the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, initiate the process of preparing the national strategy for the development of agricultural statistics.
The 2016 National MSME Survey focused on capturing MSMEs’ business particulars; qualification needs and employment; training and skills development for the operators and employees; expenditure and income. The Survey also documented details on seasonal variations and innovations, organization and marketing, access to information and amenities, capital and technology, access to credit, business constraints, and the closures.
In total, 50,043 MSMEs were sampled for the survey, targeting licensed businesses. A further 14,000 households were sampled targeted to capture household based enterprises which are largely unlicensed. This survey therefore offers detailed insight on MSMEs in Kenya. It is further the first comprehensive survey on MSMEs in Kenya. The need for up-to-date, accurate and reliable data is paramount to; fast track development by both national and county governments and to inform the formulation and implementation of national policies, programmes, projects and strategies.
In view of the importance of the sector, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in collaboration with the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) of the University of Nairobi, African Centre for Economic Growth (ACEG) and K-Rep designed the 2016 MSME Survey; to better understand the magnitude, dynamics, and various factors that can promote or hinder their creation, growth and development in Kenya.
This is an annual publication normally published during the month of May. It analyses the economic performance of various sectors of the Kenyan Economy and presents information for both the current and the past four years.
PAGES: 302 P.
ISBN :9966-767-43-6 PRICE: KSHS. 1500/=
DESCRIPTION
This is an annual publication normally published during the month of May. It analyses the economic performance of various sectors of the Kenyan Economy and presents information for both the current and the past four years. The main areas covered include the following:-
Continue reading “Economic Survey – 2013: Other past editions are also available”
Pages: 438
Price: Ksh.4000/-
Date of publication: Aug. 2010
DESCRIPTION
This report is the fourth in the series of preliminary reports of the 2009 KPHC.
This report contains information on; education, economic activity, housing conditions and livestock population.
The results in the series are tabulated for the 158 districts gazette as at December 2008. Further work will be done, if necessary to tabulate the results according to the current administrative units.
Pages: 532
Price: Ksh.4000/-
Date of Publication: Aug 2010
DESCRIPTION
This report is the third in the series of preliminary reports of the 2009 KPHC.
The report presents the distribution of the enumerated population by age and sex.
The results in the series are tabulated for the 158 districts gazette as at December 2008.
Further work will be done, if necessary to tabulate the results according to the current administrative units.
Pages: 206
Price: Ksh.4000/-
Date of Publication: Aug 2010
DESCRIPTION
A population census is a complete count of the country’s population.
United Nations recommends that countries conduct censuses every 10 years.
This report is the first in the preliminary reports series to be released on the 2009 KPHC.
The report presents the distribution of the enumerated population for each Administrative Unit (sub-locations, Locations, divisions, Districts, Provinces) by sex, number of households, area size, and population density.
The results in the series are tabulated for the 158 districts gazette as at Dec 2008.
Further work will be done, if necessary, to tabulate the results according to the current administrative units.
PAGES: 312 P.
ISBN 9966-767-27-4
PRICE: KSHS. 1,000/=
DESCRIPTION:
This is an annual publication. It is more detailed than the Economic Survey.
It provides detailed statistical tables covering all the important aspects of the Kenyan economy. The Statistical coverage includes:
• Land and Climate
• Population and Vital Statistics
• Migration and Tourism, National Accounts
• External trade
• Size Distribution of Establishments
• Agriculture Forestry and Fishing
• Industrial production
• Fuel and Power
• Financial Statistics
• Transport and Communication
• Education and Public Health
• Public Finance
• Labour, Retail Prices and Consumers Expenditure
• Crime Statistics and Justice.
The Abstract is an important reference source of socio-economic data. A useful document for scholars, researchers, planners and decision makers
