BY SAYE AGWANDA: Kisumu Governor and Chairperson of the Council of Governors Lands, Housing, and Urban Development Committee, Anyang’ Nyong’o, has emphasized that Kenya’s rapid urbanization presents both a major economic opportunity and a profound responsibility for county governments.

Speaking during the official launch of the Urban Expansion Planning technical workshop in Kisumu, Prof Nyong’o noted that strategic urban planning is essential to driving economic transformation, strengthening regional competitiveness, and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens.

He highlighted the urgent need for counties to adopt proactive, forward-looking strategies that anticipate population growth, safeguard public interests, and foster resilient, inclusive, and sustainable development.

The county boss stressed that Urban Expansion Planning serves as a vital tool for fulfilling constitutional mandates by enabling devolved units to direct infrastructure investments, protect strategic land, and preserve environmental resources.

Cost effective

Pointing out that planning ahead is far less costly than managing the fallout of haphazard urbanization, he noted that as Kenya continues to urbanize, the real challenge lies in ensuring that growth unfolds in a structured and equitable manner.

He described cities and municipalities as the true engines of Kenya’s economic transformation, driving innovation, enterprise, industrialization, and job creation, while simultaneously boosting county own-source revenue.

Consequently, investing in well-planned urban spaces is directly tied to achieving Kenya Vision 2030, the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Addressing a key systemic issue, the Governor lamented that the widespread growth of informal settlements is largely the result of inadequate planning for steady rural-to-urban migration, a challenge the workshop specifically aims to rectify.

Reaffirming the Council of Governors’ commitment, Nyong’o pledged to continue strengthening county planning systems, promoting sound urban governance, and fostering strategic partnerships to build institutional capacity.

The high-level technical engagement, led by the Africa Urban Lab, focuses on developing urban expansion programs for Kisumu, Kakamega, and Homa Bay counties on the pilot phase.

The initiative comes against the backdrop of African Union projections estimating that over 50 percent of the continent’s population will reside in urban areas by 2050.

During the event, Governor Nyong’o was accompanied by Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development Dr. Charles Konyango, alongside Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga.