NAIROBI, Kenya — City lawyer Donald Kipkorir has raised concerns over the rapid conversion of agricultural land in Kiambu County into residential developments, warning that the trend could undermine Kenya’s food security if left unchecked.
In a statement shared on his X account, Kipkorir said Kiambu had historically served as Nairobi’s food basket, supplying coffee, tea, cereals, vegetables and fruits to the capital and export markets.
He argued that increasing real estate development, particularly the construction of high-density residential apartments, is steadily replacing productive farmland.
“Kiambu County was meant to be the food supplier for Nairobi City. Its abundant arable land produced coffee, tea, cereals, vegetables and fruits for city residents and for export,” Kipkorir said.
“Then Kiambu land owners with connivance of Kiambu County Government have decided to convert the County into a concrete jungle of bed-sitters.”
Warning Over Food Security
Kipkorir cautioned that continued loss of agricultural land could force Kenya to rely more heavily on food imports to feed its growing urban population.
“Soon, Kenya will be importing food from Uganda to feed its city citizens and the residents of Kiambu who were once farmers,” he stated.
He added that sustainable economic development depends on a country’s ability to maintain sufficient domestic food production.
“Without self-sufficiency in food production, a country can never be developed.”
Growing Debate on Land Use
Kiambu County has experienced rapid urban expansion over the past decade, driven by Nairobi’s population growth and rising demand for housing in satellite towns such as Ruiru, Kikuyu, Juja, Thika, Limuru and Kiambu Town.
Large tracts of land that were previously under coffee estates, horticulture and mixed farming have increasingly been subdivided for residential and commercial developments.
The trend has sparked debate among planners, environmental experts and agricultural stakeholders over balancing urban growth with the need to preserve productive farmland.
Planning and Constitutional Obligations
The Constitution of Kenya and the County Governments Act assign county governments responsibility for physical planning and land use, while the Physical and Land Use Planning Act provides the legal framework for sustainable development and orderly zoning.
Agricultural experts have previously cautioned that unplanned urban sprawl could reduce food production, increase dependence on imports and place additional pressure on infrastructure and public services.