The share of urban population in Kenya increased by 0.5 percentage points (+1.72 percent) in 2023 in comparison to the previous year. With 29.52 percent, the share thereby reached its highest value in the observed period. Notably, the share continuously increased over the last years.The urban population refers to the share of the total population living in urban centers. Each country has their own definition of what constitutes an urban center (based on population size, area, or space between dwellings, among others), therefore international comparisons may be inconsistent.Find more key insights for the share of urban population in countries like Zambia and Madagascar.

Kenya KE: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 4.259 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.288 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 4.503 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.172 % in 1976 and a record low of 4.044 % in 1989. Kenya KE: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

The urban population in Kenya increased to roughly ** million people in 2020, which represented **** percent of the country's total population. Urbanization has been improving in Kenya. For instance, some ** million Kenyans lived in urban centers as of 2015.

Urban population in Kenya was reported at 16336074 in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Urban population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Kenya KE: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 26.562 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.105 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 16.434 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.562 % in 2017 and a record low of 7.362 % in 1960. Kenya KE: Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

These data are the result of a survey research project conducted in three housing estates in Nairobi, Kenya, by Marc H. Ross.The study attempted to measure the: 1) Urbanization process 2) Individual's perception of his environment 3) Political alienation 4) Political participation Variables include sex, age, tribe, birthplace, political participation, political understanding, influence of groups, election campaigning, socialization, education, rural-urban education, economic status, po litical awareness, occupation, literacy, landownership, religion, social class and income level.

In 2023, Gabon had the highest urbanization rate in Africa, with over 90 percent of the population living in urban areas. Libya and Djibouti followed at around 82 percent and 79 percent, respectively. On the other hand, many countries on the continent had the majority of the population residing in rural areas. As of 2023, urbanization in Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, and Burundi was below 20 percent. A growing urban population On average, the African urbanization rate stood at approximately 45 percent in 2023. The number of people living in urban areas has been growing steadily since 2000 and is forecast to increase further in the coming years. The urbanization process is being particularly rapid in Burundi, Uganda, Niger, and Tanzania. In these countries, the urban population grew by over 4.2 percent in 2020 compared to the previous year. The most populous cities in Africa Africa’s largest city is Lagos in Nigeria, counting around nine million people. It is followed by Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cairo in Egypt, each with over seven million inhabitants. Moreover, other cities on the continent are growing rapidly. The population of Bujumbura in Burundi will increase by 123 percent between 2020 and 2035, registering the highest growth rate on the continent. Other fast-growing cities are Zinder in Niger, Kampala in Uganda, and Kabinda in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Kenya KE: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 73.438 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 73.895 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 83.566 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 92.638 % in 1960 and a record low of 73.438 % in 2017. Kenya KE: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

Kenya KE: Urban Population data was reported at 13,201,277.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 12,650,892.000 Person for 2016. Kenya KE: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 3,657,126.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,201,277.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 596,722.000 Person in 1960. Kenya KE: Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

The impact of urban migration on ethnic politics is the subject of longstanding debate. “First generation” modernization theories predict that urban migration should reduce ethnic identification and increase trust between groups. “Second generation” modernization perspectives argue the opposite: urban migration may amplify ethnic identification and reduce trust. We test these competing expectations with a three-wave panel survey following more than 8,000 Kenyans over a 15-year period, providing novel evidence on the impact of urban migration. Using individual fixed effects regressions, we show that urban migration leads to reductions in ethnic identification: ethnicity’s importance to the individual diminishes after migrating. Yet urban migration also reduces trust between ethnic groups, and trust in people generally. Urban migrants become less attached to their ethnicity but more suspicious. The results advance the literature on urbanization and politics and have implications for the potential consequences of ongoing urbanization processes around the world.

Kenya KE: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million data was reported at 5,398,177.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,203,864.000 Person for 2016. Kenya KE: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million data is updated yearly, averaging 1,738,073.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,398,177.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 452,924.000 Person in 1960. Kenya KE: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in urban agglomerations of more than one million is the country's population living in metropolitan areas that in 2018 had a population of more than one million people.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; ;

In 2023, the share of urban population in Seychelles remained nearly unchanged at around 58.82 percent. Still, the share reached its highest value in the observed period in 2023. A population may be defined as urban depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the village, town, or city. The urbanization rate then refers to the share of the total population who live in an urban setting. International comparisons may be inconsistent due to differing parameters for what constitutes an urban center.Find more key insights for the share of urban population in countries like Tanzania and Kenya.

This project utilized Random Forest classification algorithm and Landsat series data in Google Earth Engine to model the temporal land cover features from 1989 to 2020 based on the following land cover IPCC classes; Built areas, Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Cropland, Bareland & Rocks. The products generated were used to quantify and map the approximate LULC changes and determine the urbanization trends in Nakuru municipality.

Abstract

Introduction;

Rapid urbanization in Kenya has resulted in growth of slums in urban centres, characterised by poverty, inadequate social services and poor health outcomes. The government's initiatives to improve access to quality health care for mothers and children are largely limited to public health facilities which are few and/or inaccessible in underserved areas like the slums. The 'Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health' (PAMANECH) project is being implemented in two Nairobi slums, Viwandani and Korogocho to assess the impact of strengthening public-private partnerships for the delivery of health care on the health of mothers, newborns and young children in two informal settlements in Kenya.

Methods and analysis;

A quasi-experimental study. Our approach is to support both private and public health providers and the community to enhance access to, and demand for quality health care services. Key activities include; infrastructural upgrade of selected Private Not-For-Profit health facilities operating in the two slums, building capacity for both health care providers and the Health Management Teams in Nairobi, facilitating provision of supportive supervision by the local health authorities and forming networks of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to create demand for the health services. To assess the impact of the intervention, the study is utilising multiple data sources using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. A baseline survey was conducted in 2013 and an end line survey will be conducted at least one year after full implementation of the intervention. Systematic monitoring and documentation of the intervention is on-going to strengthen the case for causal inference.

Ethics and dissemination.

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Kenya Medical Research Institute. Key messages from the results will be packaged and widely disseminated through workshops, conference presentations, reports, factsheets and academic publications to facilitate uptake by policy makers.

Geographic coverage

Two Nairobi urban slums Korogocho and Viwandani

Analysis unit

Women of reproductive age and children under-five years

Universe

The direct beneficiaries of the project are women of reproductive age and children under the age of five years in the two informal settlements who make up 20% and 14% of the population, respectively. In addition, five health facilities are being upgraded and the health care providers in the selected PNFP and other public and private health facilities benefitting from training and skills upgrade. CHVs, the sCHMTs of the two sub-Counties where the study sites are located as well as the Nairobi County Health Management leadership are other direct beneficiaries. Residents of areas outside the NUDHSS as well as residents of the two slums who are male and/or older than 5 years but less than 15 years and/or older than 50 years are the indirect beneficiaries.

Sampling procedure

Sampling procedure was for primary units. Random numbers were generated to select women of reproductive age (12 to 49 years) and children under 5 years from the most up-to-date Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS) database. The sampling frame was restricted to those households that have individuals within the two study populations.

Sampling deviation

None

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The women questionnaire was administered to women aged 12 - 49. The questionnaire included;

· Respondents background characteristics

· Care seeking behavior -Family planning services and knowledge, Ante Natal Care, Delivery, Post- Natal Care,

· Referral patterns

· Quality of health care facilities and interaction with Community Health Workers

· Child morbidity and Mortality

· Breastfeeding - Early initiation, breastfeeding knowledge, attitude and practice

· HIV and AIDs, and other STIs

The child questionnaire was for children under 5 years age and it was administered to parents or guardians of the children. This questionnaire included;

· Background characteristics of respondent,

· Care seeking behavior including vaccination,

· Child morbidity and mortality.

Both questionnaires were administered in Kiswahili.

Cleaning operations

Data were colleted using Netbooks with inbuilt consistency checks and was synced to the central server at the office for back up. Project data analyst performed post-data collection consistency checks and labelling of variables.

Response rate

Total number of women interviewed were 849

Total number of interviews for children under 5 years were 975

Response rate: 100%

Kenya KE: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data was reported at 56.000 % in 2014. This records an increase from the previous number of 54.700 % for 2009. Kenya KE: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 54.800 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2014, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.000 % in 2014 and a record low of 54.700 % in 2009. Kenya KE: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population living in slums is the proportion of the urban population living in slum households. A slum household is defined as a group of individuals living under the same roof lacking one or more of the following conditions: access to improved water, access to improved sanitation, sufficient living area, and durability of housing.; ; UN HABITAT, retrieved from the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals database. Data are available at : http://mdgs.un.org/; Weighted average;

This dataset contains the anonymised results of a survey of customers who buy groundwater for consumption in Kisumu, Kenya. Data includes information on the amount of water bought and ways in which this water was used and handled, as well as their use of water from other sources. Data about assets and services, including access to food, are also included. The surveys were carried out during February and March 2014 and include data from 137 well customers. The data were collected as part of the Groundwater2030 project, which aims to reduce the health problems that result from consumption of contaminated groundwater in urban areas of Africa. The project was co-ordinated by the University of Southampton, with partners at the University of Surrey, the Victoria Institute of Research on Environment and Development (VIRED) International, and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. The project was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Department for International Development as part of the Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor (UPGro) programme.,Data were collected using trained surveyors using a standardised questionnaire. Customers who took part in the survey were selected at random from a list of customers for each groundwater source/well.

This dataset contains the results of a sanitary risk inspection for different groundwater sources in Kisumu, Kenya. A total of 70 groundwater sources were surveyed between February and March 2014. The survey took the form of an observation checklist that identified contamination hazards at well heads and in their immediate surroundings. Data on well depth, electro-conductivity, pH and temperature were also collected. The data were collected as part of the Groundwater2030 project, which aims to reduce the health problems that result from consumption of contaminated groundwater in urban areas of Africa. The project was co-ordinated by the University of Southampton, with partners at the University of Surrey, the Victoria Institute of Research on Environment and Development (VIRED) International, and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. The project was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and the Department for International Development as part of the Unlocking the Potential of Groundwater for the Poor (UPGro) programme.

Kenya KE: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million: as % of Total Population data was reported at 10.862 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 10.738 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million: as % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.810 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.862 % in 2017 and a record low of 5.588 % in 1960. Kenya KE: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million: as % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in urban agglomerations of more than one million is the percentage of a country's population living in metropolitan areas that in 2018 had a population of more than one million people.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

The definition of urban and rural areas differs across countries, which is evident in household surveys conducted in low- and middle-income countries. This lack of consistency and variation poses challenges for comparative analyses of the relationship between urbanization and health outcomes. Additionally, the binary urban-rural dichotomy fails to acknowledge the existence of an urban-rural continuum, encompassing remote rural areas, semi-urban suburbs, and core urban areas. By utilizing satellite-based datasets, it is possible to employ objective and continuous measures that quantify the level of urbanization with high spatial resolution. We utilize geospatial techniques to derive alternative classifications of the urban continuum from satellite data across nine household surveys conducted from 2005 to 2019 in six African countries and provide the database here

Abstract

The 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey (2023/24 KHS) provides a comprehensive analysis of housing conditions, affordability and tenure across the country. The survey was conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in collaboration with the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, the Kenya Space Agency, the Directorate of Resource Survey and Remote Sensing and the Central Bank of Kenya. The primary objective of the 2023/24 KHS was to provide up-to-date housing statistics to facilitate evidence-based planning and decision making in the housing sector. In addition, the survey addressed housing challenges in line with national development goals and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Data collection was carried out from 7th March to 10th May 2024 in all the 47 counties and targeted both households and institutions. The survey collected data on various aspects of housing, including the stock of dwellings, household spending on housing, land and dwelling ownership, access to utilities, housing affordability, overcrowding, durability of construction materials, and economic and financial statistics related to housing. Additionally, it collected information on the age, size, and characteristics of dwellings. Satellite imagery analysis was also used to assess changes in built-up areas and green spaces in Nairobi City, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru counties. Different players in the housing sector including tenants and home owners, Housing Financiers, Developers, Water Service Providers, Built Environment Professionals and Housing Regulators (County Government Physical Planning Department, Lands Department and National Environmental Management Authority) were interviewed.

SURVEY DESIGN The survey employed a cross-sectional study design to collect data for estimating housing indicators at national, rural, urban and county levels. To achieve this, a hybrid data collection system was incorporated, targeting both households and institutions. The household component of the survey was designed independently from that of the institutions. A sample survey was conducted for the households, while a census was carried out for all identified institutions key in the housing sector.

SCOPE AND TARGET POPULATION The survey covered all 47 counties to ensure that the coverage was comprehensive and representative of the entire country. The household component targeted residential housing units in both urban and rural areas while the institutional component targeted housing developers, real estate firms, Water Service Providers, County Governments-Physical Planning Departments, NEMA and Land Administration Department. The professional component targeted members from Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), Kenya Institute of Planners (KIPs) and Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).

DATA QUALITY The quality of data for the Housing Survey was ensured through a multi-step approach. This began with defining the survey's content and scope, designing survey instruments, conducting a pre-test and pilot survey, training survey personnel, and incorporating technology for data collection and transmission. Additionally, data validation, analysis, creation of final report tables, and stakeholder engagement were all integral parts of the process. A thorough process was undertaken to review and refine the survey instruments aimed at eliminating redundancies and ensuring the questions were accurate and relevant to the current housing development programs and addressed user needs. The data collection tools were integrated into CAPI with in-built checks and controls to ensure consistency and flag out any outliers in the data. A multilevel supervision of the data collection exercise also ensured that the probability of any errors going unnoticed was minimized significantly. To further support the data quality assurance, a dashboard based at the headquarters was also used to monitor the data as fieldwork continued. Upon completion of the data collection, edit specifications were developed by subject matter specialists to provide a basis for cleaning and editing of the data. The specifications were subsequently coded into programs using statistical applications and subjected on the raw data to derive a cleaned dataset that developed the tables in the report.

THE KENYA HOUSING SURVEY DATA COLLECTION TOOLS

I. Household Questionnaire The Household Questionnaire for the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey is structured into multiple sections, covering different aspects of housing and household characteristics. The key sections included; Information for Household Members; Household composition, age, gender, relationship to the head and the Socio-economic characteristics such as education and employment status. Household Amenities; Access to essential services (water, electricity, sanitation, internet), Cooking fuel and lighting sources. Dwelling Unit Characteristics; Type of dwelling unit (permanent, semi-permanent, informal), Construction materials (walls, floors, roofing), Number of rooms and occupancy. Environmental and Location Aspects; Waste disposal methods, Drainage and pollution concerns in the neighborhood. Transport and Infrastructure; Accessibility to roads, public transport, and major services (schools, hospitals, markets). Disability; the Accessibility of housing and services for persons with disabilities. Land Ownership and Tenure; Land ownership status, size, tenure system (freehold, leasehold, informal). Household Individual Integrated Module; Employment and economic activities of household members, Income sources and levels. Tenants' information; Rent payment details, lease agreements, landlord-tenant relationships. Owners' information; Mortgage details, home-ownership financing sources and common Challenges in acquiring housing.

II. Kenya Housing Survey Institutional Questionnaire The 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey Institutional Questionnaire related to real estate development is structured into multiple sections. This Questionnaire was administered to developers and real estate firms and the key sections included: Types of real estate projects undertaken, Number of completed and ongoing projects, Challenges faced in real estate development, Information on specific housing projects (location, type, cost), Financing sources and ownership structure, Construction materials and environmental considerations, Details on commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings, Occupancy rates and rental/sale prices. Questions about market trends, demand, and pricing, Factors affecting property transactions, Prices, unit sizes, and buyer demand trends, Rental prices, occupancy rates, and tenancy duration, Market conditions for office spaces, retail, and mixed-use developments, Information on warehouse developments, rental prices, and usage.

III. County Government questionnaire This Questionnaire captured about basic details about Counties and Questions related to building applications and approvals (e.g., number of residential building applications received and approved in different years). Factors considered in approval of construction permits, such as existing use, visual impact, and emerging technologies. There are also Questions about urban planning and land use, including Number of urban centers classified as towns, municipalities, and cities. Finally, the number of approved and pending physical and land use development plans.

IV. Financiers' Questionnaire The 2023/24 KHS collected information on housing development financing with a focus on respondents within the housing development sector. These included commercial banks, microfinance banks, SACCOS and other institutions that provide finance for housing development, including financial details, funding information, and related metrics.

V. Lands Department Questionnaire This Questionnaire aimed at collecting data related to land administration and management. specific data related to land management, policies, financial data, or other related metrics.

VI. State Department for Housing and Urban Development Questionnaire This questionnaire was used to collect information from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development targeting policy housing and urban development issues.

VII. Built Environment Professionals Questionnaire This questionnaire collected information from built environment professionals involved in the planning, design, and construction of housing in Kenya. The data collected was be used to assess the state of the housing sector, challenges faced, and trends in building and urban development from the perspective of Built Environment Professionals Questionnaire. The Built Environment Professionals interviewed are Valuers, Architects, Planners, Engineers (Civil/Structural/Mechanical/Electrical), Building Surveyors, Land Surveyors, and Quantity Surveyors involved in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment.

VIII. National Environment Management Authority Questionnaire This survey data collection tool targeted all the National Environment Management Authority offices (NEMA) to gather insights into their licensing process for housing development projects and related environmental regulations.

IX. Water Sewerage & Service Providers Questionnaire The Water Sewerage & Service Providers (WSSP) section - this was a structured data collection tool in the delivery of water and sanitation services and within the context of housing and urban development. The survey tool or a research questionnaire targeting WSSPs to collect data on Water and sewer connection applications, Types of developments being connected (residential vs. mixed-use), Sewer coverage percentages, Costs, timelines, and challenges in providing services and Plans for future infrastructure