2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census “Counting Our People for Implementation of Vision 2030” Volume VIII Urbanization

Abstract

Based on the 2009 Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) data, this monograph presents information on levels, trends and patterns of urbanization in the country. The monograph is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 is a general introduction that provides an overview on Census background, urbanization in Kenya, Census methodology, concepts and definitions. Chapter 2 presents the level of urbanization in 2009 by Province, County and major urban centres; trends in urbanization over time; and Population of Municipal Councils. Chapter 3 highlights selected demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the urban population. Chapter 4 highlights selected housing and household characteristics of the urban population. Chapter 5 provides information on urban informal settlements through a comparative analysis of formal and informal settlements. Chapter 6 highlights the summary of key findings and recommendations in the context of emerging indicators, that could be relevant to existing and proposed development programmes and policies in urban Kenya. Although the proportion of Kenya‟s total population living in urban centres is still relatively low within the global context, urban population has been increasing since independence. The urban population increased from 5.4 million in 1999 to 12 million people in 2009. The proportion of urban population to the total population rose from 19 percent in 1999 to 31.3 percent in 2009. Similarly, the urban growth rate rose from 3.4 percent in 1999 to 8.3 percent in 2009. The selective dominance of males in urban centres is gradually declining; proportion of the unemployed population is relatively small; and the informal sector contributes a significant proportion to the employed urban population. The proportion of urban households living in own house is gradually increasing; and more than half of the households live in durable housing made of stone, brick or wall – but with variations between the urban centers. Although the proportion of households with access to piped water is relatively high in most urban centers, majority of these households do not have individual connections to the house. However, all the urban centers have less than 25 percent of their households connected to the main sewer. The urban population living in informal settlements is relatively small, 15 percent of total, but disproportionately concentrated in Nairobi, (62 percent), Mombasa (12 percent) and Kisumu (10 percent). Informal settlements tend to have higher proportions of unemployed population and those working in the informal sector (jua kali), while formal settlements have a better access to piped water in the dwelling and connection to main sewer. This monograph gives recommendations which call for a National Urban Policy to guide urban development country-wide.