Urban Growth and Elitism in Kenya: Public Policy Toward Employment and Housing

Abstract

: It is universally acknowledged that Third World countries are experiencing rapid urbanization. Although the causes and effects of urbanization have been discussed in substantial detail, few scholars have examined public policy toward urban expansion in underdeveloped areas. Perhaps most important, Third World cities face a severe shortage of adequate employment and housing. This article discusses the urban policy followed by the Republic of Kenya with respect to these two problems. Overall, the data indicate that urban policies are biased in favor of economic and political elites. Although the Kenyan government has “officially” endorsed the creation of additional employment in both urban and rural areas, its policies have not facilitated these objectives. Similarly, the government has not allocated sufficient resources for urban housing, and resources that are allocated often subsidize a small elite. The findings for Kenya have broad implications for the study of urbanization throughout the Third World.