Felix Kariba

The world has just taken stock of progress on sustainable cities and the New Urban Agenda. For Kenya, the bigger question is what happens next — in our counties, municipalities, neighbourhoods, housing programmes and everyday development decisions. July 2026 marked an important moment for the global urban agenda. From 7 to 15 July, the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) convened in New York and undertook an in-depth review of Sustainable Development...

Nairobi is rapidly transforming into a vertical city. But can infrastructure, mobility, public spaces and development control keep pace? This article explores what high-density living means for Nairobi's future from the perspective of urban planning and sustainable city development.

Kenya’s urban future is not being shaped in Nairobi. It is unfolding quietly in places like Ruiru, Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Juja, Kericho, and dozens of other fast-growing secondary towns. These are the spaces absorbing population growth, unlocking land value, and attracting new development. Yet, they are also where the consequences of poor planning are becoming most visible. Flooded roads after short rains. Uncontrolled subdivisions without drainage. Developments encroaching on riparian...