Kenya prepares to host Africa’s Second Urban Forum
YOBESH ONWONG’A-MYGOV
The Government in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) will host the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2) from April 8-10, 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
The forum will convene under the theme: “Adequate Housing for All, advancing Socio-economic and Environmental Transformation towards the Realization of Agenda 2063”.
The timing is particularly poignant as Kenya continues to grapple with heavy rains that have exposed the fragility of urban centers.
Flooding across various counties have left a trail of lost lives, property and damaged infrastructure as urban centres work to build resilience to withstand climate shocks.
The Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP), a World Bank project launched in 2018, is designed to support the Kenya Urban Programme (KenUP) through the strengthening of urban institutions and infrastructure in 79 municipalities across 45 counties.
Today, the programme’s impact is visible in the improved livelihoods of millions who now benefit from better connectivity, enhanced security and robust socio-economic infrastructure.
Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Alice Wahome, underscored the significance of the programme ahead of the forum.
“KUSP is not just about infrastructure; it is about dignity, safety, and opportunity for millions of Kenyans. As we welcome Africa to Nairobi, we are proud to present a model of how urban centers can thrive even under the pressures of climate change,” she said.
Wahome said by 2050, nearly two-thirds of Africans are expected to live in urban areas presenting both unprecedented opportunities for economic transformation and urgent challenges related to housing access, infrastructure, climate resilience and inclusive urban planning.
Under KUSP, municipalities have constructed 246 kilometers of stormwater drainage systems that act as a shield for local communities.
In Malindi, the Barani and Shella drainage upgrades have transformed the Central Business District (CBD) from a flood-prone zone into a resilient commercial hub.
Similarly, in Tana River’s Hola Municipality and along the integrated road networks of Wote in Makueni, these systems have significantly reduced soil erosion and infrastructure damage.
These localized interventions have offered a lifeline previously swampy or flood prone areas as climate-resilient development offers defense for urban centres.
The commitment to safety extends into the night through a massive investment in urban lighting.
Through installation of over 5,000 streetlights and 113 high-mast floodlights, KUSP has extended the night economy while providing a sense of security for women and vulnerable groups in various urban communities across the country.
Traders in the municipalities of Thika, Ruiru, and Limuru now operate longer hours under the glow of new lighting installations, while Kikuyu’s CBD has embraced sustainability by deploying dozens of solar-powered streetlights.
These brightly lit streets and roads have spurred business growth in municipalities while also leading to tangible reduction in crime across these urban centers.
In towns like Kapsabet and Eldoret, the presence of high-mast lighting has turned formerly ‘no-go’ zones into vibrant latenight markets where locals can trade safely long after sunset.
The programme’s reach also extends to the foundations of how people move within their towns.
Through the development of Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) infrastructure and better road networks, KUSP has prioritized the human element of urban planning.