The nature and impact of population policy in Kenya.

Abstract

This paper examined the existence and impact of population policy in Kenya. The findings show that Kenya has adopted an antinatalist population policy which also aims at promoting balanced population distribution. This policy is, however, not well-designed and integrated. The demographic targets are often not specified or vague; the program measures are limited; and the policy does not encompass most geographical areas and subpopulation in terms of needs and resource endowments. There is need to reformulate the existing population policy in Kenya and make it well-designed and more rigorous. The policy must have set demographic targets to be achieved within specified time periods. The program measures must be broadened to include a wider range of factors directly and indirectly implied in a population resource equation at the present and in the future. Such a policy will achieve controlled population growth and balanced population distribution.