This archive report was first published on 8 January 2020.
As the world urbanises, African and Asian countries are facing unique infrastructural challenges. By 2050, two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities, with 90% of the growth predicted to take place in these regions.
Kenya's urban centers, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Uasin Gishu County, are struggling to meet the demands of their growing populations. The increased rural-urban movement, urban population boom, and depreciating financial resources are stretching their ability to deliver essential services.
One of the major concerns is the need to allocate resources for the development of slum areas in major urban centers. Issues such as piped water, sanitation, solid waste management, and drainage are services that counties in these areas need additional assistance with.
Additional investment and funding allocation to these major urban towns is imperative if they are to meet the residents' expectations. The Commission on Revenue Allocation is currently working on a proposed report to support additional funding for cities in the form of conditional grants.
The conditional grants will play a vital role in providing financial support for urban counties and improving governance. They will place emphasis on prudent financial management to expand infrastructure for water and sanitation, energy, transportation, and ensure equal access to essential services.
It is, however, imperative that these urban counties increase their own source revenue. The commission has developed a scientific model to assist counties in setting realistic revenue targets according to their internal technical and financial capacity.
Public-private partnerships provide a useful key in unlocking finances and technical expertise needed to tackle these challenges. Despite the critical importance of infrastructure for urban development, financing remains an immense challenge.
The writer is a lawyer and communications professional.
