Discussion Paper No. 340 of 2024 on Smart and Sustainable Cities in Kenya: A Path to Progress

Abstract

This study explores the journey of four Kenyan cities (Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru) towards achieving smart and sustainable urbanization in alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda. This was achieved by assessing the current state of smart and sustainable urbanization and identifying areas of strength across the various pillars of smart and sustainable cities. The research uses a comprehensive Smart and Sustainable Cities Index (SSCI) framework underpinned by seven pillars: smart people, smart living, smart economy, smart mobility, smart environment, smart infrastructure, and smart governance. The average SSCI score was 0.56, ranging from 0.48 to 0.71, indicating significant progress towards achieving smart and sustainable urbanization. Among the pillars that made up the index, the highest average score was on smart people (0.80) and smart environment (0.69). The lowest were smart mobility (0.37) and smart governance (0.46). The pillars on smart infrastructure (0.56), smart living (0.52) and smart economy (0.52) scored slightly above average. Smart people pillar: The dependency ratio performed poorly especially for Nakuru and Kisumu and unrealized universal access to education. In this regard, there is need for demographic and economic planning to anticipate future changes in dependency ratio through resource allocation and infrastructure development and collaborative efforts with development partners focusing on education, technology, and community development to leverage additional resources and expertise.