INCLUSIVE ROLE OF ACTORS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN SUSTAINABLE URBAN GOVERNANCE OF AFRICAN CITIES

African Cities are facing enormous challenges such as the growth of informal settlements and increased inequality due to rapid urbanisation. Challenges to secondary cities are much more severe than to primary cities in terms of smaller economies and local governments with less capacity. Within this arrangement of urban governance, issues are fragmented in decision-making from varied stakeholders and conflicting interests. Therefore, to implement urban governance strategies effectively, key stakeholders need to be brought together to develop collaborative and inclusive processes to meet a broader range of interests and needs. Thus, this research aims to understand the urban governance processes in decision-making with interactions of diverse actors and stakeholders. In the review of literature, out of several parameters of urban governance, such as land use management, Basic utility services, urban transport system, and food safety, the research discusses the provision of basic services at length. In addition, the role of urban governance actors such as levels of government, political parties, traditional leaders, private sector organisations and informal business organisations (such as traders� organisations), international agencies and civil society organisations are identified in the decision-making. With the help of qualitative research methodology and inductive reasoning, policies for inclusive urban governance in Africa are generalised by studying the secondary city of Kisumu in Kenya. The research findings identify the role of diverse actors in urban governance and the challenges they face and the opportunities to develop skills and resources through collaboration that is holistic and inclusive