NAIVASHA — County governments have been urged to increase their internal revenue collection to ease the mounting strain on urban infrastructure. This call came during the second Kenya Urban Forum, where leaders and planners expressed alarm over underfunded city systems amid rising rural-to-urban migration.
The forum, held in Naivasha, opened with a sharp warning. As towns grow, the gap between population demands and development funding is widening fast, posing a serious threat to sustainable urban growth.
“Own source revenue generated by counties will be instrumental in resolving the unfolding urban development crisis in the country,” read a collective statement from the forum’s plenary on Tuesday.
President William Ruto officially opened the event, accompanied by Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga.
Despite some gains through national initiatives like the affordable housing program, attendees noted that city development remains heavily reliant on central government allocations. Participants argued that counties must begin shouldering more responsibility by improving local revenue systems.
One key issue raised was the lack of accessible public land in cities, which continues to slow progress on the affordable housing program. Another concern was the government’s focus on home ownership, which critics say sidelines the need for social rental housing, a recommendation first proposed during the 2023 Urban Forum.
The event, themed “Driving Kenya’s Vision for Urban Transformation through Inclusive, Resilient, and Sustainable Development,” brought together policymakers, planners, and urban specialists to assess Kenya’s readiness to handle future city growth.
“The future is urban,” read the forum’s tagline, underlining the urgency to prepare for expanding city populations. Topics included climate resilience, economic inclusion, urban displacement, and the localization of international goals tied to COP29 and the World Urban Forum.
The forum also explored new models in service delivery and city planning, aiming to encourage stronger collaboration between counties, the national government, and global partners.
The recommendations from this year’s event are expected to shape future policy decisions and budget priorities in both national and county governments as urban centers face increased pressure to deliver housing, infrastructure, and basic services.
