The 1970–4 Kenya Development Plan designated four levels of centres to stimulate rural development: urban centres as the main commercial centres for an entire district, mostly district headquarters though some like Kajiado, Narok and Kitui have not been so designated; rural centres to serve a population of at least 40,000; market centres to serve populations of about 15,000; and local centres to cater for populations of at least 5,000. Thirty six urban centres, 140 rural centres, 231 market and 600 local centres were identified (see Kabwegyere n.d.: esp. ch. 6).

This paper examines the role of the small urban center in promoting rural development through an analysis of two cases, one West African and the other North African. Kita (Mali) and Testour (Tunisia) are approximately the same size, have something of an urban atmosphere in contrast to their surrounding countryside, and play a roughly analogous role within the political economy of their nations. Both were in single-party states at the time of research; had had French colonialism for about the same period; and have modern institutions that owe something to the French pattern. Both have experienced attempts to build socialism.