The Principal Secretary for Planning Saitoti Torome has assured census enumerators that they will be paid their allowances in full once the national exercise is over.

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Addressing members of the press on Saturday, Torome said that there was money to pay all those involved in the decennial exercise.

"There is money and they will be be paid after doing the work. They should be patient (Pesa iko na wakishafanya kazi watalipwa. Wasubiri), " the PS said in a video shared on YouTube. (1:46-1:52)

The assurance comes in the wake of a number of protests by irate enumerators in various parts of the country who claimed that they had not been paid their allowances as had been agreed.

Enumerators started the headcount on Saturday evening amid concerns over technical glitches and delays.

In a bid to ensure that virtually everyone is counted, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government Dr Fred Matiang'i called for all social joints to be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have strongly appealed to Kenyans to avail themselves for the exercise that the government has described as vitally important.

Data collected will be used for purposes of economic planning for the next ten years.