Transforming Mombasa into a living city

There is evidence that urban areas in Kenya, like elsewhere in Africa, are growing fast and it is estimated that by 2030 more than 50% of the population will be leaving in urban areas. Urbanization has been associated with high levels of exposure to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors including obesity, hypertension and sedentary lifestyles. The changing trends in lifestyles go beyond how people eat. Increasingly, researchers, civil society organizations (CSOs) and political leaders are connecting the exposure to NCD risk factors to the way cities are built and how people travel.

The Transforming Mombasa into a Living City initiative, under the leadership of the Mombasa Municipal Council, brings together different stakeholders with interests in the City, including residents associations, business people and other actors (such as non-governmental organizations, health facilities, associations and institutions of higher learning) to work together towards having a city that fosters health and well-being. Policy makers at the Council have identified the following key steps towards putting the initiative into action: (i) formation of a multi-sectoral Technical Team to identify key areas of intervention in the town (e.g. spaces to be transformed into walkways, areas that to be turned into green spaces and sites to be cleared of garbage in a collective effort); (ii) identification of quick wins for buy-in before tackling the more politically sensitive issues; (iii) advocacy by use of multiple media to sensitize communities on healthy lifestyles; and (v) resource mobilization.

It is anticipated that this initiative will in the long-term lead to: (i) a clean and healthy city; (ii) increased security; (iii) increased access to recreation spaces; (iv) increased awareness on NCDs and improved access to screening services; and (v) improved capacity of the Council to implement health and development programmes in partnership with the communities, non-state actors and private sector