Eldoret: The Africa Urban Lab (AUL), directed by Urban Development Consultant Richard Martin, has engaged with the Uasin Gishu County Government to discuss strategies aimed at empowering Eldoret City towards smarter urban growth.
According to Kenya News Agency, this visit is part of AUL’s Urban Expansion and the Periphery (UXP) Program. This initiative is designed to equip governments and communities with practical planning tools that manage rapid urbanisation and promote smarter, more orderly urban growth across the African continent. During a meeting led by CECM Land and Urban Development, Edward Sawe, Martin emphasized the program’s five-step approach: Predict, Control, Preserve, Plan, and Protect. This methodology helps cities forecast growth, designate expansion areas, conserve sensitive land, design road networks, and protect public infrastructure before development occurs.
Martin explained that this approach aims to enhance mobility, increase access to essential services, and promote sustainable urban development. The initiative focuses on urban planning, city management, GIS, land management, economic planning, and environmental management.
CECM Sawe expressed gratitude for the empowerment and emphasized that partnerships like this are vital for aligning local priorities with both national and continental urban development goals. Eldoret City Deputy Director of Administration and Planning, Francis Chirchir, also welcomed the partnership. He highlighted that it would enhance Eldoret City’s planning capacity and support inclusive, sustainable growth, reaffirming the city’s commitment to strategic partnerships that improve planning and service delivery.
Other notable attendees included Dr Joe Akech, former Nairobi Mayor and Africa Urban Lab Lead; Humphrey Otieno; Jackton Kiprop, Director of Urban Development; and Charles Kimani, Director of Physical Planning. The UXP Program plans to initiate new urban expansion projects in African cities over the coming three years, aiming to strengthen local governments’ capacity to plan for future growth.
