Kenya Population and Development Conference (KPDC 2025)
Today, the University of Nairobi hosted the opening of the Kenya Population and Development Conference (KPDC 2025) at UoN Towers. Themed “Navigating the Future: Population Dynamics and Sustainable Development in Kenya,” the three-day event brings together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss key demographic challenges and opportunities.
The first day featured a grand opening ceremony, followed by a keynote address by Amos N. Gathecha, Ps Public service and Human Capital Development, that set the stage for insightful discussions. A plenary panel session focused on Human Capital Development and the Youth Bulge, highlighting strategies to harness Kenya’s youthful population for economic transformation. Later, participants engaged in breakout sessions covering three of the conference’s nine thematic areas:
- Population Health and Well-being – Addressing access to quality healthcare and improving overall well-being.
- Population Policy and Programme Implementation – Exploring policy innovations, lessons learned, and best practices.
- Human Capital Development and the Youth Bulge – Examining strategies to equip Kenya’s youth with the skills and opportunities needed for national growth.
The conference will continue until Thursday, covering other key themes such as:
- Fertility & Sexual Reproductive Health
- Mobility, Migration, and Urbanization
- Environment and Climate Change
- Population Data, Research, and Innovation
- Gender and Population Dynamics
- Population and Development
Dr. Mohamed Sheikh, Director General of the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD), in his welcoming remarks, expressed the Council’s privilege in hosting this historic conference. Bringing together experts, researchers, think tanks, policymakers, and program implementers, the event aims to advance the population and development agenda. He emphasized that since its establishment in 1982, the NCPD has played a pivotal role in ensuring population issues remain central to Kenya’s national development strategy.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Jesang’ Hutchinson, also delivered her welcoming remarks, acknowledging the strong partnership between the University of Nairobi’s Population Studies and Research Institute and the NCPD in conducting research that generates reliable data for the country.
“This conference comes at an opportune time, as Kenya has begun implementing the Fourth Medium-Term Plan, guided by Kenya Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and global and regional development commitments,” noted the Chief Guest, CS Hon. FCPA John Mbadi Ngo’ngo, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning. Represented by Mr. James Muhati, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Economic Planning, he expressed hope that the conference would bridge the gap between policymakers, researchers, the private sector, development partners, and other key stakeholders.
