UoN hosted the Inaugural Kenya Population and Development Conference 2025
The University of Nairobi successfully hosted the Kenya Population and Development Conference 2025. The event was organised by the National Council for Population and Development in partnership with the University of Nairobi together with other key industrial partners on the theme of Navigating the future.
The conference drew guests from across the world on the discourse on population dynamics and sustainable development in Kenya. They also held discussions on human capital development. With 75% of Kenya’s population under 35 years of age, the demographic dividend is a unique opportunity if backed by skills development employment policies and education reforms.
In his keynote address, the NCPD Kenya Director General, Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, said that the conference comes at a crucial time to assess the progress, identify gaps, share experience, and learn from the best practices in addressing emerging population challenges. “With the changing demographics, the future discussions will be shifting from numbers to quality. The shift will control both numbers and improve the livelihoods of the people to ensure they live a quality life.”
The Director general also appreciated the dedication of collaboration and commitment of all development partners in advancing the population and development agenda in the country.
In her welcoming remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. Margret Hutchinson invited all participants to the University of Nairobi and acknowledged the strong research between the University of Nairobi’s Population Studies and Research Institute and the National Council for Population and Development emphasizing that, together, we have made significant progress in synthesizing population issues through rigorous research, ensuring that vital insights are accessible to decision-makers and stakeholders.
The Cabinet Secretary for National and Economic Planning Hon. John Mbadi, in his speech, said that population issues are very complex and need to be addressed holistically. Kenya has made progress in improving population and development indicators. He also noted that Kenya appreciates the crucial role of innovation in economic development and contemporary demands for knowledge-based development. He also added that the collaboration of the government of Kenya with key stakeholders has developed policies and programmatic measures to respond to the challenges facing the youth.
In his speech, the Board Chairman, Gen (RTD.) Dr. Julius Karangi stated that the council has developed a strategic plan 2023-2027 that serves as a result-based management tool for good corporate governance, institutional efficiency and effective delivery of services in the implementation of the policy. He also mentioned that the council envisions a country with a well-managed population for prosperity and this will be achieved through collective effort and coordinated approach of all stakeholders.
In Day two, the conference tackled key aspects affecting the population and development, keynote address and plenary session on Population Data, Research and Innovation and plenary. Among the topics discussed in breakout sessions were; Mobility, Migration and Urbanization, Environment and climate change and Fertility and reproductive planning where there was a comparative analysis of contraceptive discontinuation in ASAL counties and other counties in Kenya. The topic also focused on the role of religious leaders in avocation for child spacing among adolescents and youth.
The third and last day focused on Gender and Population Dynamics, The Changing Financing Landscape for the population programme and Population health and well-being where factors associated with stunting among children under the age of five years were explored.
This conference gave leaders, researchers, youths and members of the public a platform to discuss and come up with appropriate recommendations for both policy and programmes geared towards achievements of our national aspirations and deliberations.
