County governments across Kenya have initiated the Kenya Urban Expansion Planning (UXP) Programme to strategically manage the rapid growth of urban areas. Launched on August 3, 2026, at Ciala Resort in Kisumu County, the programme aims to shift urban planning from a reactive approach to anticipating and guiding development before it occurs.
The four-day workshop, hosted by the Council of Governors (CoG) in partnership with Africa Urban Lab (AUL), brought together political leaders and technical experts from Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Kakamega counties, alongside representatives from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the National Land Commission, development partners, academia, and the private sector.
Anticipating Urban Growth
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o emphasized that well-managed urbanisation can drive economic transformation by attracting investment, creating jobs, and improving living standards. However, he cautioned that unplanned urban expansion fuels informal settlements, congestion, environmental harm, and infrastructure deficits.
The UXP Programme focuses on identifying future urban expansion zones, protecting critical transport and infrastructure corridors, and safeguarding land for public and environmental uses. It seeks to produce practical urban expansion plans that counties can integrate into their spatial and development frameworks.
Collaborative and Implementation-Focused Planning
Unlike traditional planning methods that often fail in execution, this initiative prioritizes implementation by fostering continuous collaboration between political leaders and technical teams. This ensures that plans are realistic, adequately funded, and embedded within county budgets and investment strategies.
The programme also supports the alignment of Urban Expansion Plans with County Spatial Plans, Local Physical and Land Use Development Plans, County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), and Annual Development Plans (ADPs).
Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities
The workshop serves as a platform for dialogue on urban governance, land management, infrastructure financing, and evidence-based planning. Draft Urban Expansion Plans developed during the sessions will offer actionable roadmaps to accommodate population growth, preserve public land, attract investment, and enhance service delivery.
The Council of Governors highlighted the shared commitment among county governments, national agencies, development partners, and professional bodies to promote sustainable urbanisation as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and environmental resilience.
Governor Nyong’o expressed confidence that the programme will enable counties to create more organized, liveable, and competitive urban centres aligned with Kenya’s long-term development goals.
