By Aoma Keziah,
The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), has launched the Kenya Population and Development Conference 2025, a three-day event that brings together global leaders, policymakers, researchers, and advocates to address critical issues shaping Kenya’s future.
Under the theme “Navigating the Future: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Development in Kenya,” the conference, kicked off as a forum for in-depth discussions on family planning, migration, gender equality, and climate change, key factors influencing the country’s social and economic landscape.
Principal Secretary State Department for Economic Planning in the National Treasury and Economic Planning, James Muhati, representing the chief guest of the conference Cabinet Secretary National Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi, highlighted that the demographic landscape has evolved over the past 50 years, presenting countries with varying opportunities and challenges.
“Developed countries are experiencing population ageing and shrinking working-age populations due to low fertility, while developing countries are faced with youth bulge and unemployment challenges arising from rapid population growth. Adjusting population and development policies is therefore increasingly becoming necessary to address these demographic shifts,” he said.
He further explained that like many other sub-Saharan countries, Kenya continues to experience a relatively high population growth rate.
“Our country continues to experience a high population growth rate which has placed significant strains on ecosystems and natural resources, social services, housing, and infrastructure, while contributing to unemployment and environmental pressures. The 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census enumerated 47.6 million people. It is estimated that the current population is 53.3 million and is expected to grow to 57.8 million in 2030 and 82.6 million in 2050,” Muhati explained.
NCPD Director General Dr. Mohamed Sheikh emphasized that over the years, Kenya has successfully implemented four population Policies, which has registered notable achievements.
“Through the 1984 Sessional Paper No. 4 on Population Policy Guidelines, the 1994 National Population Policy for Sustainable development ,the 2012 Sessional Paper No. 3 on Population Policy for National development and the 2023 sessional Paper No. 1 on the Kenya Population Policy for Sustainable Development ,the country has registered notable achievements, including improved life expectancy, reduction in fertility, mortality and population growth rates,” he said.
He added that the improvements in contraceptive uptake and the subsequent decline in fertility rate has changed the population structure.
“ Despite the remarkable progress, several challenges have undermined these efforts. These include the trajectory of socioeconomic and health impact of pandemics, the growing concerns of an aging population, youth unemployment, migration, urbanization, humanitarian crises, climate change, conflicts, decrease in financing and funding cuts,” continued to say Sheikh.
Retired General Dr. Julius Karangi, Board Chairman NCPD, Population-centred development is increasingly being adopted by countries globally and Kenya is not left behind.
“Kenya is not left behind in this. The Council envisioned a country with well managed population for prosperity, and this will be achieved through collective effort and coordinated approach of all stakeholders. NCPD is therefore, mandated to undertake this coordination through research, advocacy and public education, technical assistance and resource mobilization,” he remarked.
Over the next two days, experts and stakeholders will continue to explore solutions to Kenya’s most pressing demographic challenges. Discussions will focus on strengthening reproductive health services, addressing climate-induced migration, closing gender gaps, and leveraging data for informed policymaking.
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