KUSP driving Kenya’s urban transformation

YOBESH ONWONG’A-MYGOV

The Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) is emerging as a powerful engine of change in the country’s urban landscape, strengthening governance and service delivery in towns and cities across the nation.

Its impact was prominently highlighted during the Second Africa Urban Forum (AUF2), held in Nairobi, where President Dr. William Ruto presided over the official opening and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to positioning urban centres as catalysts for economic growth, innovation and social inclusion.

The forum brought together African leaders, policymakers, urban planners, and development partners to deliberate on the future of urbanisation across the continent.

Central to the discussions was the delivery of adequate housing and the advancement of sustainable, inclusive cities.

President Ruto, in a fireside chat with fellow Heads of State and Government, emphasized the government’s Affordable Housing Programme as a cornerstone of Kenya’s development agenda.

He described access to decent and affordable housing as a fundamental component of human dignity, noting ongoing efforts to upgrade informal settlements and enhance the quality of life for urban residents.

“The Affordable Housing Programme is a central pillar of Kenya’s development agenda, aimed at addressing the national housing deficit while supporting job creation and stimulating economic activity,” said President Ruto.

Additionally, he underscored the importance of access to decent and affordable housing as a fundamental component of human dignity, noting ongoing efforts to upgrade informal settlements and enhance the quality of life for urban residents through improved infrastructure and essential services.

President Ruto emphasised the need for integrated urban planning approaches that align with national development priorities and broader continental frameworks.

While the Affordable Housing Programme addresses the national housing deficit, KUSP and the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Programme (KISIP) Phase II are ensuring that the benefits reach ordinary Kenyans. 

KUSP focuses on strengthening urban governance, enabling counties to plan and manage their towns more effectively.

By building institutional capacity, the programme ensures that local governments can deliver services sustainably, regulate construction, and integrate climate resilience into urban planning.

KISIP Phase II complements this by directly upgrading informal settlements.

Roads, drainage systems, water supply, and sanitation facilities are being improved, while residents gain tenure security.

For families living in these settlements, the changes are transformative: children walk to school on paved roads, households access clean water, and communities enjoy safer, healthier environments.

Together, KUSP and KISIP are turning neglected spaces into liveable communities, bridging the gap between policy and people’s daily realities.

Deliberations at AUF2 reflected a shared urgency among stakeholders to translate policy frameworks into measurable outcomes.

Calls were made for stronger urban governance systems and more effective implementation mechanisms.

Participants also explored innovative financing models to support largescale housing and infrastructure development, alongside strategies to embed climate resilience into urban planning.

The forum underscored the importance of partnerships between governments, the private sector, and development institutions in addressing the complex challenges of rapid urban growth.

Kenya’s experience with KUSP and KISIP was cited as a model of how national leadership, donor support, and community participation can converge to deliver tangible improvements.

By hosting AUF2, Kenya reinforced its strategic role in shaping Africa’s urban development agenda.

President Ruto’s emphasis on integrated planning and inclusive development resonated with participants, who acknowledged the need for coordinated, action-oriented responses to harness the opportunities presented by urbanisation.

For ordinary Kenyans, the impact of these programmes is already visible. In settlements upgraded under KISIP, families enjoy cleaner surroundings and improved infrastructure.

Under KUSP, counties are better equipped to manage waste, plan for growth, and deliver essential services. These incremental changes collectively represent a profound shift in how urban spaces serve their residents.