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Founded as a railway station in 1899, Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya covering an area
of 696 km
2
(UN-HABITAT 2010). The city accounts for 60 per cent of Kenya’s Gross
Domestic Product (Ndorongo undated, Mungai and others 2011).
David N. Mungai and Samuel O. Owuor
4
URBANIZATION, WATER AND
ECOSYSTEMS: THE CASE OF
NAIROBI
As Kenya rapidly urbanises, Nairobi’s share of the country’s
urban population increased from 5.2 per cent in 1948 to 32.4
per cent in 2009 (GOK 1966, 1971, 1981, 1994, 2002, 2010).
The annual urban growth rate for Kenya increased to a high
of 7.7 per cent in 1979 but fell to 3.4 per cent in 1999 (GOK
1999). Nairobi continues to have the largest share of the urban
population in the country. The city’s population increased from
119 000 in 1948 to 3.1 million people in 2009 (GOK 1966,
1971, 1981, 1994, 2002, 2010). Despite its large population,
Nairobi recently witnessed a decline in its growth rate. This
indicates the emergence and importance of small and medium-
size urban centres in the country.
It is estimated that half of Kenya’s population will be living
in urban areas by 2015. Urban growth, combined with urban
sprawl, has overwhelmed the capacity of local authorities to
provide the increasing urban population with adequate facilities
and services, including water and sanitation.
Wajir
Lake
Turkana
UGANDA
ETHIOPIA
SUDAN
TANZANIA
SOMALIA
Narok
Homa Bay
Lokichokio
Marsabit
Habas
Liboi
Takaba
North Horr
Loiyangalani
El Wak
Lokwa
Kangole
Lokichar
Archer’s
Post
Lokori
Baragoi
Kibwezi
Mombasa
Kakamega
Kisumu
Nakuru
Kitale
Embu
Nyeri
Nairobi
Garissa
Lamu
Garsen
Malindi
4. The authors would like to thank Philip Gichuki, Mbutu Mwaura,
Msafiri Wambua and Paul Kinyua for providing the information used in
preparing this case study and for providing useful comments on the first
draft of the text.