Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u has announced that Kenya's population is projected to reach 57.8 million by 2030.
Ndung’u highlighted that the population growth rate has declined from 2.9% yearly between 1999 and 2009 to 2.2% per annum between 2009 and 2019, based on the latest census data.
This is mainly attributed to low fertility rate as the population shifts towards a younger demographic.
According to Ndung'u, various government policies and programmes aimed at managing the population growth positively and effectively impacted on this.
"This has resulted in measured progress, particularly in curbing rapid population growth," he noted.
The CS spoke Thursday during the launch of the fifth sessional paper on the national population policy for sustainable development.
The country's total enumerated population as of 2019 was 47.5 million.
The new policy is designed to address critical population and development challenges through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.
This, while ensuring alignment with Kenya’s national aspirations for a healthy, skilled, and prosperous society.
National Council for Population Development (NCPD) Director General Mohamed A. Sheikh stated that the implementation of the policy will involve both national and county levels, emphasising a collaborative approach.
"NCPD will lead these efforts, aligning all sectoral and inter-sectoral policies and programs to achieve the policy’s objectives," he remarked.
Principal James Muhati and NCPD board member Paarven Sigeiare were among those who were present during the event.
The formulation of the policy included a national leaders' conference where key population issues were discussed and a consensus was reached.
Extensive and intensive reviews of relevant information and data were conducted.
Consultations with leaders, policymakers, and a broad spectrum of stakeholders from both the national level and all 47 counties were also involved.
The policy aligns with Vision 2030, the Constitution, and various national and international goals, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063.
It builds on previous policies, addressing evolving socio-economic conditions and emerging population and development issues to guide Kenya towards a sustainable future.
