By Francis Kioko
Date 30th July 2024
Kenya’s population is expected to surge to 70 million within the next five years, according to projections from the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD). This rapid growth presents significant challenges and opportunities for the nation’s planners and policymakers.
NCPD Deputy Director of Public Education and Advocacy, Jane Wanjaria, emphasized the importance of incorporating factors such as urbanization, fertility rates, and age structures into planning and service provision. “Ruiru is among the fastest-growing urban areas in the country,” Wanjaria noted, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive urban planning.
Wanjaria underscored that policymakers must consider the implications of fertility, rapid population growth, and mortality rates to ensure adequate services, including hospitals, water supply, and other essential amenities.
Her comments were made during the dissemination of a national population policy document in Juja, Kiambu County. The event was attended by deputy county commissioners and NCPD officials, reflecting the collaborative effort required to address these emerging demographic trends.
Wanjaria also revealed gender disparities in life expectancy, with men living an average of 61 years compared to 67 years for women. She attributed this gap to higher risks faced by men in their work and daily lives.
As Kenya prepares for significant population growth, the insights from NCPD highlight the crucial need for forward-thinking policies and infrastructure development to support a rapidly changing demographic landscape.
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