President William Ruto on Tuesday opened the second Kenya Urban Forum (KUF 2025) in Naivasha, Nakuru County. He urged national and county leaders to align their strategies and address Kenya’s fast-paced urban growth.
In his address, Ruto said more than half of Kenyans would live in urban areas by 2050. He explained that the government plans to align legislation across all levels to strengthen urban governance and service delivery.
“Our cities must be engines of opportunity,” he said. Ruto highlighted affordable housing, public transport, and climate-resilient infrastructure as top government priorities. He noted that the Affordable Housing Programme boosts job creation while providing decent shelter.
He also announced the launch of the National Urban Development Fund. The initiative, which emerged from the 2023 forum, will help municipalities finance infrastructure and essential services. Ruto encouraged counties to widen revenue streams and apply innovation in city management.
“Urban transformation is not a government-only affair,” he said. He called on private investors, civil society, and global institutions to support urban development efforts.
The three-day forum, themed “The Future is Urban: Driving Kenya’s Urban Transformation,” brought together policymakers, city planners, and development partners. Participants focused on five key areas: infrastructure, planning and governance, climate resilience, economic growth, and inclusive urbanization.
Officials from global agencies such as the World Bank and UN-Habitat echoed Ruto’s remarks. They pledged continued support for Kenya’s urban agenda.
The forum runs through June 19. Organizers expect participants to adopt resolutions that guide future planning and investment.
