Just Cities and Politics

Kenya's rapid urbanization has significantly altered the country, with cities now playing a crucial role in driving economic and social progress. However, the continued emergence of new cities like Nakuru and Eldoret presents challenges in effectively managing this substantial growth while ensuring inclusivity. Despite efforts by the Kenyan government over the past decade to enhance living standards in urban areas, there remains a significant disparity in the distribution of political, economic, spatial, and financial resources. This inequality manifests in the lack of provision and access to public goods (Article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya) such as affordable housing and public transport, adequate water and sanitation infrastructure, and sufficient rights for marginalized groups such as people with disabilities and those in the informal settlements resulting to ‘unjust’ urban areas. In response to these challenges, the FES Kenya advocates for a social democratic approach, promoting the concept of “Just Cities" that fosters inclusivity and social equity. This involves facilitating constructive dialogues and meaningful public participation in urban development among political stakeholders, civil society actors, and other stakeholders to address pressing issues in provision and access to public goods and services such as affordable, accessible and sustainable housing, public transportation, water and sanitation.

Through its "Just Cities" project, FES Kenya collaborates with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, trade unions, Members of County Assemblies, national government representatives, private sector, media and academia. The aim is to foster constructive dialogues and develop relevant policies and locally led solutions through joint efforts towards creating a more socially equitable urban development in Kenya. This initiative seeks to promote urban social justice by ensuring a fair distribution of opportunities for social mobility, improving provision and access to public goods and services, while enhancing sustainability and resilience. Furthermore, FES Kenya's efforts are supported by co-funded projects from the European Union, specifically focusing on just and sustainable water and waste management in urban areas. These projects are designed to contribute to the development of socially equitable and sustainable urbanization for all urban residents, while addressing critical issues that affect public participation towards provision and access to public goods and services.