The hierarchy of centres and the rural-urban balance strategy in Kenya: the case of Machakos District

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Periodical article

Title:	The hierarchy of centres and the rural-urban balance strategy in Kenya: the case of Machakos District
Author:	Musyoki, A.K.
Year:	1987
Periodical:	Journal of Eastern African Research and Development
Volume:	17
Pages:	74-89
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Kenya
Subjects:	rural-urban relations marketplaces
Abstract:	Bearing in mind the district focus for rural development strategy in Kenya and the role of settlement and market hierarchies in bringing about rural-urban balance, the author presents specifically the marketplace hierarchy in one district, Machakos. A brief description and comment on the government's designated hierarchy of market centres in Machakos District is followed by the formulation of a hierarchy based on the existing market importance of centres. Both the formulated market hierarchy and the government's designated hierarchy are found to be deficient as instruments of the rural-urban balance. Machakos is served by an undeveloped hierarchical system. The entire district is dominated by just a few major centres while the existence of a large number of low-level markets indicates an incomplete distribution of centres for marketing of both foodstuffs and manufactured goods. In order for rural people to be served by the settlement and market hierarchy a more complete hierarchy of centres needs to be developed and transportation and means of generating incomes must be improved in order to link rural and urban areas. Bibliogr.