The Charter Cities Institute and The Government of the Republic of Kenya Sign a Memorandum of Understanding to Promote Sustainable Urbanization

May 15, 2024

The Charter Cities Institute (“CCI”) and The Government of the Republic of Kenya’s Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development (“MLPWHUD”) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) under which CCI will work with the MLPWHUD to achieve resilient urban services in secondary cities, including strengthening urban governance, building climate resilience of the urban poor, promoting the twinning of cities, transforming refugees camps into fully-fledged refugee cities with full rights to work for refugees, and sharing of best practices, among other goals.  

The MOU was signed by Hon. Alice Wahome, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, and witnessed by Charles Hinga, Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development on behalf of the Government of Kenya. The Charter Cities Institute was represented by the Executive Director, Mr. Kurtis Lockhart. 

Additional goals of the MOU include:

• Implementation of a multisectoral approach to development in order to accelerate the goals and targets of the country development plan by supporting the decentralization and localization of urban governance to allow for deeper institutional reforms;
• Development of world-class urban centers and tourism hubs across the country;
• Facilitation of effective governance systems and institutions with strict adherence to the rule of law;
• Enhancing a globally competitive economic infrastructure and an environmentally sustainable economy;
• Building the capacity of fast-growing localities to proactively plan for urban expansion and undertake innovative governance reforms; 
• Supporting the creation of city champions that are spatially spread across Kenya;
• Providing research and technical cooperation to develop legal frameworks and governance structures for devolution and decentralization in governance in Kenya’s new secondary cities including environmental sustainability and urban resilience;
• Providing capacity and technical support to develop decentralized urban institutions and governance frameworks to deliver nationally integrated, self-sustaining, thriving refugee cities that provide better social and economic opportunities for refugees, improved rights, infrastructure and services, and spur investments and sustainable economic growth;
• Developing coordination mechanisms jointly with various local and international stakeholders, including featuring Department for Housing and Urban Development as part of CCI’s “Africa’s Next 50 Cities Coalition,” to accelerate urban development and management of new cities that provide economic activities for wealth creation; and
• Providing support on Public Private Partnership management of cities.

Said Mr. Lockhart on behalf of CCI, “This MOU symbolizes our shared commitment to advancing Kenya’s National Urban Development Policy and the development goals outlined in Kenya’s Vision 2030. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Kenya for the continued partnership and commitment. Together, we are exemplifying our shared dedication to a future where cities empower and uplift communities. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of our joint efforts on Kenya’s urban development.”

The signing ceremony was witnessed by technical teams including; Plan. Mareri, Mr. Kibe, Dr. Sangori, Mr. Chemjor, and Ms. Jacqueline Kinuthia.