As part of the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, UNITAC-Hamburg, in partnership with UN-Habitat’s Kenya Country Office and the Council of Governors, co-organized a training for Municipal Boards on People-Centred Smart Cities.
The session, titled “Knowledge, Data, Digitalization and Capacity Development”, was held on 14 August as a dedicated side event to the conference to over 100 participants. It explored how digital tools and data can support municipalities in Kenya to advance their digital urban transformation.
Aligned with UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan to promote access to adequate housing, land and basic services for all, the training provided participants with:
- Insights on smart city strategies and digital governance frameworks for sustainable urban development.
- Case studies showcasing how digitalization tools can help improve access to housing, land, and essential urban services.
- An overview of global trends and good practices in digital transformation of cities.
A short survey conducted during the session highlighted the current state of digitalization in Kenyan municipal offices. While 30% of participants reported their county offices as mostly or fully digital, 70% indicated they are only moderately, slightly, or not digital at all. The responses also revealed that, to the best knowledge of participants, digital services are currently concentrated in revenue collection, permits, and service requests, with land records, planning, and resident feedback remaining less digitized.
Through a mix of presentations and interactive exercises, municipal leaders engaged in peer-to-peer learning, exchanged experiences, and built practical skills to support urban development in their respective counties.
By equipping municipal boards with knowledge and tools for digital governance, the initiative contributes to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and strengthens the capacity of local governments to lead digital transformation at the community level.