Drivers and Determinants of Urban Agriculture and its Relationship with Planning Laws in Nakuru city, Kenya

Abstract

The study examines the drivers, determinants and socio-economic reliance on urban agriculture (UA) in Nakuru City, Kenya, contrasting its vital role in household survival against restrictive city planning frameworks. UA serves as a vital economic lifeline for households in the rapidly growing city, yet it remains hindered by prohibitive local regulatory frameworks. Based on empirical field data collected in 2024 from 398 household respondents and 135 schools, the study reveals that for 46.7% of households UA is a primary strategy for food security and income. It provides 25% to 50% of total earnings for 38.6% of practitioner households. However, a significant policy-practice gap exists in that 49.8% of practitioners view city by-laws as having a negative impact on their activities. The study findings highlights a severe gap between official city policy and local urban agriculture realities. The study advocates for harmonizing city planning laws to formalize UA as a recognized sustainable land-use category.