Interoperability Framework for National Population Register A Case Study of IPRS

Abstract

The Government of Kenya has several different agencies all undertaking population registration functions under independent pieces of legislations. The IPRS department has the sole responsibility of hosting the National Population Register by consolidating the data from the population agencies and uniquely identifying each person’s data with a unique PIN. The components of registration/identification systems in Kenya have traditionally functioned in silos, each with its specific mandate. This being the case, integrating these datasets into a common single registry and identified with a unique PIN as required in the National Population Register, has been characterized with interoperability issues. The purpose of this study was to formulate an interoperability framework that will steer efficient co-ordination, linkages of registration systems and information flows to oversee an ideal status of the National Population Register in Kenya. The design method adopted was a descriptive single case study. The unit of analysis was the National Population Register as hosted by IPRS.The data which was collected helped in generalization of findings to all case scenarios of National Registers. The unit of observation was interoperability of National Population Register with respect to persons registration departments. For this study, a sample of 94 was arrived at. Stratified random sampling method was adopted for the selection of the study participants. The study used a questionnaire for collection of primary data. Data analysis was done with the help of a statistical analysis program. Descriptive statistics was obtained from the study’s variables and this information was presented in cumulative graphs and tables. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Inferential statistics included Cronbach’s test that was used to test reliability of data collected, fried man test that was used to test significance conditions within each interoperability factor and z-test analysis that were used to test the significance between dependent and the independent variables. Validation of the conceptual framework construct by data results, established that technical, semantic and organizational factors had a significant influence on the interoperability of National Population Register in Kenya. The study recommends that interoperability framework be anchored in law as a policy and compulsory compliance to it be enforced.