By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 4 August 2026 - Kenya's accelerating urbanisation is emerging as one of the country's biggest economic opportunities, but only if county governments move swiftly from reactive administration to strategic planning, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o has said.
Speaking at the launch of the Urban Expansion Planning Technical Workshop in Kisumu, the Chairperson of the Council of Governors' Lands, Housing and Urban Development Committee argued that the country's expanding towns and cities should no longer be viewed merely as centres of population growth but as engines of investment, productivity and long-term economic transformation.
"Kenya's rapid urbanisation presents both a significant opportunity and a profound responsibility for county governments. If strategically planned, it can drive economic transformation, strengthen competitiveness and improve the quality of life for our citizens," Nyong'o said.
His remarks place counties at the heart of Kenya's next phase of economic growth, where efficient land use, infrastructure investment and sound urban governance could determine the country's competitiveness in attracting investors.
Nyong'o warned that unmanaged urban expansion comes at a steep economic cost. Congested roads, overstretched public services, environmental degradation and sprawling informal settlements, he argued, are often the price of delayed planning rather than inevitable consequences of population growth.
"This underscores the need for counties to adopt proactive, forward-looking planning approaches that anticipate growth, safeguard public interests and promote resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban development," he said.
He described Urban Expansion Planning as a strategic economic instrument that enables counties to anticipate future growth corridors, guide infrastructure investments, protect strategic land and environmental resources, and create climate-resilient urban centres capable of supporting sustained business growth.
"Planning ahead is far less costly than responding to the consequences of unplanned urbanisation. As Kenya continues to urbanise, the question is not whether our urban areas will grow, but whether they will grow in a planned and inclusive manner," Nyong'o noted.
The governor said well-managed urban centres remain the backbone of economic transformation, stimulating investment, innovation, industrialisation, enterprise development and employment while expanding counties' own-source revenue and enhancing their competitiveness.
He argued that investment in modern, well-planned cities and municipalities is ultimately an investment in Kenya's long-term prosperity and the achievement of Kenya Vision 2030, the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
"As Chairperson of the Council of Governors' Lands, Housing and Urban Development Committee, I reaffirm the Council's commitment to strengthening county planning systems, promoting sound urban governance and fostering strategic partnerships that build county capacity," he said.
The technical workshop, spearheaded by Africa Urban Lab, brings together planners from Kisumu, Kakamega and Homa Bay counties, which have been selected as pilot counties under the Urban Expansion Programme. The initiative comes against the backdrop of African Union projections that more than half of the continent's population will be living in urban areas by 2050.
Nyong'o observed that the rapid growth of informal settlements across Kenya is largely the result of inadequate planning for rural-to-urban migration. He said the programme seeks to develop practical planning frameworks that can accommodate future population growth while ensuring orderly, inclusive and economically productive urban development.
For county governments, the message is unmistakable that the future of Kenya's economy will increasingly be shaped not only by national policy but by how effectively its cities are planned, financed and managed.
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Already Kisumu County has positioned itself for the next phase of economic growth through an ambitious urban planning strategy designed to support investment, improve liveability and manage the pressures of rapid urbanisation.
Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga said the county is embracing innovative planning models that will deliver orderly, inclusive and sustainable urban development as Kisumu strengthens its status as Western Kenya's commercial gateway.
"As Kisumu continues to grow as a regional economic hub, we are committed to embracing innovative urban planning strategies that will ensure orderly, inclusive and sustainable development for both the city and its residents," Wanga said.
He noted that effective urban planning extends beyond physical infrastructure, requiring close collaboration between county governments, municipalities, development partners and residents to create cities that are competitive, resilient and responsive to future economic demands.
The four-day technical workshop, organised by Africa Urban Lab in partnership with the Council of Governors, has brought together planners and technical experts from Kisumu, Homa Bay and Kakamega counties under the theme, Planning Today for Tomorrow's Urban Growth.
Wanga said the forum marks a critical shift from reactive urban management to long-term planning capable of unlocking regional economic integration.
"This workshop is not just about maps and GIS layers. It is about the future of more than 17 million people living within the Lake Region Economic Bloc. It is about how we connect Kisumu Port to Malaba and Isebania through integrated urban corridors and how we manage urban sprawl while protecting our wetlands and Lake Victoria," he said.
He argued that strategic transport corridors, integrated land-use planning and environmental conservation will determine the region's ability to attract investment, stimulate trade and sustain economic growth over the coming decades.
Wanga further emphasised the need to ensure emerging urban centres such as Bondo, Homa Bay and Kericho develop into competitive, well-planned and liveable municipalities capable of supporting business expansion and decentralised economic development.
The workshop is expected to strengthen collaboration between the National Government, county governments, municipalities, development partners, professional bodies and academia in designing resilient, sustainable and investment-ready urban centres.
"By planning ahead, we can protect critical infrastructure corridors, improve service delivery, support economic growth and create more liveable cities for present and future generations," Wanga said.
His remarks underscore the growing recognition that Kenya's economic competitiveness will increasingly depend on how effectively its cities are planned, connected and managed as urban populations continue to expand.