Requirements for City Status in Kenya

To attain city status in Kenya, an urban area must meet the criteria outlined in the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, as amended in 2019. These include:

• A minimum population of 250,000 residents based on the latest census by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics;
• An integrated urban development plan;
• Demonstrable capacity to generate sustainable revenue; proven systems for prudent management;
• Efficient delivery of essential services; active resident participation in governance;
• Adequate infrastructure such as roads, street lighting, markets, fire stations, and disaster management facilities;
• An effective waste disposal system.

Additionally, a special purpose city may be designated based on significant cultural, economic, or political importance.

Introduction

In Kenya, the conferment of city status on an urban area is a prestigious milestone that signifies growth, development, and increased regional influence. As of August 2025, Kenya has five cities: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, with Thika poised to join them as the sixth. The process is governed by the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, amended in 2019, which outlines stringent criteria to ensure that only urban centers capable of sustaining city-level operations are elevated. This article explores the requirements for city status in Kenya, detailing the legislative framework and procedural steps involved.

Legislative Framework

The Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, enacted under Article 184 of the Constitution of Kenya, provides the legal basis for classifying urban areas and cities, their governance, and resident participation. Section 5 of the Act specifies the criteria for city status, ensuring that urban centers meet infrastructural, economic, and administrative benchmarks. The process involves rigorous assessment by an ad hoc committee, county assembly approval, Senate resolution, and final conferment by the President through a city charter.

Detailed Requirements

1. Population Threshold: An urban area must have at least 250,000 residents, as verified by the final gazetted results of the most recent population census conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. For instance, Eldoret’s 2019 census population of 475,716 surpassed this threshold, qualifying it for city status.
2. Integrated Urban Development Plan: A comprehensive plan aligning with the Act and other planning laws is mandatory. This plan must outline the urban area’s development strategy, as demonstrated by Eldoret’s submission to the Senate.
3. Sustainable Revenue Generation: The urban area must show the capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations. Eldoret, for example, demonstrated potential to collect up to Ksh. 2.5 billion annually, with Ksh. 0.99 billion recorded in its last financial year.
4. Prudent Management Systems: Demonstrable records of effective management, including planning, organizing, and resource control, are essential. Poor management or service delivery reports can disqualify an urban area.
5. Efficient Service Delivery: The urban area must provide essential services listed in the Act’s First Schedule, such as water, electricity, and health services, efficiently to its residents.
6. Resident Participation: Active engagement of residents through public participation, such as citizen fora or neighborhood associations, is required to ensure inclusive governance.
7. Adequate Infrastructure: The urban area must have functional infrastructure, including roads, street lighting, markets, fire stations, and disaster management facilities. Eldoret, for instance, was advised to improve its runway and fire-fighting equipment.
8. Effective Waste Disposal: A functional waste management system, including collection, transportation, and disposal, is critical. This includes waste management laws and designated disposal sites.

Special Purpose Cities

An urban area may also be classified as a special purpose city if it holds significant cultural, economic, or political importance, even if it does not meet all standard criteria. This provision allows flexibility for areas with unique attributes.

Procedural Steps

The process begins with a municipal board resolution, followed by approval from the county executive committee. An ad hoc committee, comprising professionals from institutions like the Kenya Institute of Planners and the Law Society of Kenya, assesses compliance. Upon approval, the county governor submits the recommendation to the county assembly, then to the Senate. If the Senate approves, the President confers city status via a charter.

Achieving city status in Kenya is a rigorous process designed to ensure that only urban areas with robust infrastructure, governance, and economic capacity are elevated. This status not only enhances a town’s prestige but also attracts investment and resources, fostering regional development. As towns like Thika pursue this goal, adherence to the outlined criteria remains paramount.