Kenya Hosts Urban Forum as Ruto, Mudavadi Demand Action on Housing Crisis
By Peace Muthoka
NAIROBI, April 10, 2026 — Kenya has stepped forward as a key driver of Africa’s urban agenda, hosting the Second Africa Urban Forum amid renewed calls for urgent, practical action to tackle the continent’s housing crisis.
The three-day forum at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre has drawn thousands of delegates from over 40 countries. Participants include policymakers, city leaders, investors and development partners, all seeking solutions to Africa’s rapidly growing cities.
At the same time, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi set the tone by urging leaders to shift from dialogue to delivery. He stressed that while discussions remain important, they must now translate into visible and measurable outcomes.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto officially opened the forum and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to building cities that drive growth, innovation and inclusion. He pointed to the Affordable Housing Programme as a central pillar of this vision, noting that it not only addresses the housing deficit but also creates jobs and boosts economic activity.
Furthermore, the President emphasized that decent housing is a matter of human dignity. He highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade informal settlements while expanding infrastructure and essential services to improve urban living standards.
The forum, convened by the African Union and co-hosted by UN-Habitat, is aligned with Agenda 2063. It focuses on expanding access to adequate housing while advancing socio-economic and environmental transformation across the continent.
As discussions progressed, stakeholders consistently pointed to the need for stronger urban governance, better planning and faster policy implementation. In addition, there was a shared consensus that Africa must move quickly to match the pace of its urban growth.
In a related development, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi positioned Kenya at the forefront of climate financing. He announced a regional proposal to the Green Climate Fund aimed at unlocking investment for urban resilience across 20 African countries. At the same time, he cited the Affordable Housing Act as a financing model expected to mobilise billions annually and attract private sector investment.
However, leaders warned that Africa’s rapid urbanisation presents a double-edged sword. While it offers vast economic opportunities, it also exposes millions to housing shortages, climate risks and inadequate services if not well managed.
Echoing these concerns, Anaclaudia Rossbach noted that Africa’s urban transition is unfolding at an unprecedented scale. She urged governments to treat housing as a foundation for economic growth, resilience and social stability rather than a cost burden.
Moreover, participants called for a unified continental approach, urging African nations to negotiate as one bloc in order to secure predictable and large-scale investment for urban development.
The Africa Urban Forum, first held in Addis Ababa in 2024, takes place every two years ahead of the global World Urban Forum. This year’s edition will be held in Baku next month.
As the Nairobi forum enters its final stretch, one message remains clear Africa’s urban future will be shaped not by promises, but by decisive action.
