Nairobi: President William Ruto has officially signed the Kenya National Council for Population and Development Bill, 2023 (National Assembly Bill No. 72 of 2023), thereby establishing the Kenya National Council for Population and Development (KNCPD) through an Act of Parliament.
According to Kenya News Agency, the enactment aligns Kenya with global practices where population coordinating institutions are established through legislation to support governments in addressing demographic opportunities and challenges. The signing ceremony, held at State House, Nairobi, is considered a historic milestone in Kenya’s efforts to bolster population and development planning, policy coordination, and evidence-based decision-making.
The event witnessed the presence of senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, CPA John Mbadi, and Principal Secretary for the State Department for Economic Planning, Dr. Boniface Makokha, among other Principal Secretaries. The newly enacted law offers a comprehensive legal framework for the Council to coordinate population and development programmes effectively, provide government advice on emerging demographic issues, and promote the integration of population dynamics into national and county development planning.
Acting Director General of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), Lucy Kimondo, welcomed the enactment of the law, describing it as a significant milestone for Kenya’s population and development agenda. Kimondo emphasized that this legal status would empower the Council to offer stronger policy guidance on population matters, coordinate programme implementation, and advise both national and county governments on demographic trends and their implications for sustainable development.
The Act establishes the Kenya National Council for Population and Development as a body corporate, designating it as the national focal point for population and development matters. Its functions include conducting research and analysis on population issues, developing and disseminating population policies and plans, coordinating stakeholder interventions, mobilizing partnerships, and setting standards for population programmes across the country.
The Council is expected to play a crucial role in integrating population dynamics into planning and budgeting processes at both national and county levels, contributing to the realization of Kenya’s sustainable development goals, inclusive economic growth, and improved quality of life for all citizens.
