The growth of urban centres in Kenya, like in many other developing countries, has not been well planned. 

Kenya’s cities are growing rapidly. It is estimated that half of Kenya’s population will live in cities by 2050. 

Migration from rural to urban areas has caused a high demand for housing and  other social amenities.

For instance, the Ministry of Housing estimates that Nairobi alone needs at least 200,000 new homes every year.

Ten years ago, the government estimated that over three million people lived in Nairobi.

About two-thirds of them lived in places where there was no running water, electricity or waste disposal facilities.

If properly managed, cities are of immense economic benefits. Globally, they generate over 80 per cent of the GDP.

They must, therefore, continuously become innovative in how they are designed in order to solve pressing social and environmental problems that a growing population is bound to bring.

The dramatic growth of cities has overwhelmed urban planners in providing basic resources.

As a result, Kenya has not fully realized the potential of its cities. Much work remains to be done to enjoy the full benefits of urbanisation in a region where a majority of the cities are characterised by high levels of poverty. This mess is reflected in the rapid growth of slums.

Urban sprawl helps give rise to hidden urbanisation, which is not captured by official statistics.

The UN Habitat’s World Cities Report 2020 affirms that well-planned, managed, and financed cities and towns create economic, social, environmental and other unquantifiable values that can vastly improve the quality of life of all.

The Report found out that cities generate economic value when they function efficiently, for example by providing transport options that shorten travel times and reduce traffic congestion, allowing for more productive employment.

The report identifies deficits in urban governance that need to be addressed for urban dwellers to fully enjoy the benefits of urbanisation. The deficits include lack of empowerment, insufficient resources and, most importantly, accountability.

Addressing these deficits means identifying practical ways to increase the resources available to urban governments to allow them to perform their mandated functions.

There is also a need to create mechanisms to hold local governments accountable for their actions to citizens and to central authorities. The effectiveness of accountability mechanisms in place today varies markedly across the region.

Improving the prosperity and livability of Kenya’s cities requires policies that improve how cities are connected. It calls for reforming land and housing policies to ensure that additional housing units required by 2050 are built and properly done.

The World Urban Forum that will be held in Poland next year is an opportunity for Kenya to demonstrate to the world its commitment to achieving a sustainable urban future. — The writer is a Public Policy Analyst  — [email protected]