Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha on Friday urged Kenyans at the Kenya-Uganda border to stay at home and be counted during the national census which kickoffs today (Saturday). 

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His sentiments come after a group of Busia residents threated to go to clubs in Uganda following Interior CS Fred Matiang'i's announcement that all bars and clubs in Kenya will be closed at 5pm in a bid to ensure Kenyans take part in the exercise.

Magoha argued that the census is very important for the nation and urged Kenyans to participate in the exercise.

"I would want to urge those people around the border who are saying they are going to cross to drink in Uganda to reconsider. To please reconsider because we want to know how many people we have here and also to just encourage their people to be at home so that the census can be conducted. It is important for us to know how many people we have,” said CS Magoha

On Thursday, Interior Cabinet Secretary insisted that all social establishments such as bars will be closed from 5pm on the census weekend to allow the smooth running of the exercise.

However, a section of residents in Busia maintained that they will go to Uganda to enjoy their drinks there. 

“The directive has not affected us as alcohol lovers in Busia in any way as we are near Uganda. We will go to drink alcohol in Uganda. (Sisi kama walevi wa Busia, sisi hata haijatuaffect mahali popote juu tuko karibu na Uganda, tunakunywa pombe apo),” said one of the Busia residents.