PRESS RELEASE

CS MBADI CALLS FOR COLLOBORATIVE ACTION TO INFORM KENYA’S
POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT POLICIES.
March 11, 2025 – Nairobi, Kenya – The Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury
and Economic Planning, Hon. FCPA John Mbadi Ng’ongo, EGH, officially opened the threeday Kenya Population and Development Conference today at the University of Nairobi
yesterday.
The conference, organized by the National Council for Population and Development
(NCPD), brings together policymakers, researchers, academia, development partners,
and stakeholders to address key population and development issues critical to Kenya’s
social and economic planning.
In his opening speech read on his behalf by the Principal Secretary, State Department for
Economic Planning Mr. James Muhti, Hon. Mbadi highlighted the importance of the
conference, which aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic
Transformation Agenda (BETA), and other global and regional commitments. He
emphasized that this platform serves as an essential avenue for discussions on
contemporary population challenges, from demographic shifts to the intersection of
population dynamics and sustainable development goals.
“We are at a crucial moment in Kenya’s development, implementing the Fourth Medium
Term Plan as part of the larger framework of Vision 2030 and BETA. The outcomes of
this conference will directly contribute to achieving our national goals and aspirations,”
stated Hon. Mbadi.
The Cabinet Secretary outlined several key population trends, including Kenya’s projected
population growth, from 53.3 million in 2025 to 82.6 million by 2050. These trends place
significant pressure on natural resources, infrastructure, and social services, posing both
challenges and opportunities for the nation’s growth.
He further highlighted the country’s progress in improving population and development
indicators, including increases in life expectancy, reductions in maternal and under-five
mortality rates, and progress in family planning. He noted the government’s commitment
to the National Population Policy for Sustainable Development and the National
Reproductive Health Policy, aimed at ensuring universal health coverage and reproductive
health access for all Kenyans.
Addressing critical issues like migration, urbanization, and climate change, Hon. Mbadi
underscored the importance of innovative solutions, technology, and gender-responsive
policies to support national development. He pointed to Kenya’s efforts to provide
opportunities for youth, including through the Kenya Youth Employment and
Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities
(AGPO).
“We must harness the potential of our youthful population to drive Kenya’s future. This
conference serves as an opportunity to exchange ideas, share best practices, and shape
policies that will transform our population dynamics into a demographic dividend,” he
added.
Hon. Mbadi concluded his remarks by expressing his hope that the conference would
foster collaboration among stakeholders and inspire actionable insights that can inform
Kenya’s population and development policies. He officially declared the conference open,
wishing participants fruitful deliberations.
The Kenya Population and Development Conference will continue throughout the week,
focusing on critical discussions and strategies to address the challenges and opportunities
related to population growth, development planning, and sustainable economic
transformation.
About the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD)
The National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) is a semi-autonomous
government agency under the Ministry of National Treasury and Economic Planning. It
plays a key role in coordinating population and development programs in Kenya, ensuring
that demographic factors are integrated into national and regional development policies