Page 530 - Sustainable Cities and Communities Design Handbook

Sustainable Development Cases in Africa Chapter j 23 499

2007 to US $1434 in 2015, which is attributed to economic stability and high
economic performance. Kenya’s average annual economic growth between
2008 and 2016 was 4.9%, higher than the average of both sub-Saharan Africa
and the world. Macroeconomic stability has aided Kenya’s robust economic
performance. The Kenya Shilling remains strong and stable against world
currencies, and inflation has been stable at w9%. The agricultural, financial,
and mining sectors have experienced the highest annual growth: w21%. In
2015, Nairobi was rated the most attractive city in Africa for foreign direct
investment and the Kenyan financial sector has experienced exponential
growth in commercial banking allowing them to play a significant role in the
economy.
In addition to the great strides in reducing infant/child mortality, maternal
mortality has fallen from 488 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2008 to 362 in
2015. Significant increases in primary school enrollment due to access to free
primary school programs have resulted in an increase in the primary-to-sec-
ondary school transition rate. Only 60% of primary school students continued
on to secondary school in 2007; however, as of 2015, 82.3% of students
continue on to secondary school. Gross secondary school enrollment jumped
to 48% in 2015 from 38% in 2007. In addition, educational resources have
improved. As of 2016, 2000 Kenyan primary schools have access to com-
puters, compared with 0 schools in 2007.
Mobility has improved as road construction and maintenance has had
significant investment: US $1.3 billion in 2015. In addition to paving previ-
ously unpaved roads, new roadways connecting Kenya and Ethiopia have been
constructed. The MombasaeNairobi Standard Gauge Railway is slated to be
complete in June 2017, reducing travel time between the two urban centers to
4 h as opposed to the previous travel time of 12 h. Improvements have been
made to security through resources available to the police force, which include
forensic laboratories, multiple stations, helicopters, and other vehicles allow-
ing for easy and efficient mobilization.
Last, Kenya’s energy sector has improved significantly. Kenya plans to
begin exporting crude oil in 2017. With current reserves estimated around 750
million barrels, the government estimates that the revenues will total around
US $40 billion if prices remain near $50/bbl. Moreover, from 2007 to 2015
Kenya’s installed electricity generating capacity doubled from 1197 to
2334 MW. Geothermal capacity has increased fivefold in the same period,
contributing 627 MW as on 2015. Connection prices have decreased signifi-
cantly, as have the consumer electricity prices; from $0.19/kWh in 2007 to
$0.12/kWh in 2015. Customers connected via rural electrification programs
have increased fourfold since 2007, providing electricity to 703,190 people in
rural areas. Total electricity access has increased from 20% in 2013 to 57% in
2016 with a target of 100% by 2020.