Construction boom raises fears over poor urban planning

Kenya Property Developers Association Board Director Zoravar Singh during KPDA's 20th anniversarry annual conference in Nairobi on Oct 29, 2026. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The rise of construction projects in the country is raising fears that the rush to put up buildings is outpacing urban planning, leaving residents to contend with unreliable water supplies, poor sewerage connections, traffic congestion and shrinking neighbourhood spaces.

Professionals at the Kenya Property Developers Association’s (KPDA) 20th anniversary annual conference warned that the country risks creating cities that attract investment but fail to provide the infrastructure, safety and quality of life needed to sustain growing urban populations.