Kiambu County’s continued population growth has been linked to the high level of urbanisation as residents move from farming into real estate businesses.
Kiambu lands officer Hilton Kamau says that the high population provides a good source of labour in the county for economic growth.
“A high population is good for industrial production and agricultural value addition. This is for the benefit of the county as a whole,” he said.
He added that the proximity of the county to Nairobi makes it convenient for people to work in the city but live in Kiambu. He said housing and real estate ownership have greatly benefitted from this nearness.
Kamau said that urbanisation in the county is bringing in people from different backgrounds and areas, contributing to the increasing population. He, however, said that there is need for land use planning because agricultural land is being wasted as farmers gradually change their farm lands into construction plots.
Kiambu sub-county public health officer Romano Kinyua suggested that the high population calls for a rapid healthcare and sanitation upgrade.
“As much as urbanisation is leading to positive outcomes, there are some negative effects also.
“The rapid growth is straining social amenities where hospitals, schools and other facilities are becoming overcrowded,” said Kinyua.
He added that new facilities are not being established and there is a need to have additional public facilities to ensure everybody in the county is served well.