Uhuru Unveils Kenya's 4th City

A file aerial view image of Nakuru Town in Nakuru County taken on June 3, 2021.
A file aerial view image of Nakuru Town in Nakuru County taken on June 3, 2021.
Nakuru County Government

Residents of Nakuru County can now rest easy after President Uhuru Kenyatta confirmed that he would confer the town a city status.

Uhuru confirmed that he would preside over the conferment ceremony on Wednesday, December 1, during a State of the Nation Address he made in Parliament on Tuesday, November 30.

When conferred, Nakuru will become the fourth city in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

"As devolution takes root and as an affirmation of the equitable development we continue to enjoy and in keeping with the resolution of the Senate, I will tomorrow, December 1, 2021, have the high privilege of conferring on Nakuru Municipality, city status.

President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
PSCU

"Nakuru City will join Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi as cities and with reputation as East Africa's cleanest town, all of Kenya looks to Nakuru City growing in leaps and bounds," stated Uhuru amid applause from the MPs.

Uhuru's affirmations comes months after Senators approved the application for the city's upgrade following years of pursuit.

All Senators who were present during the debate on June 3, 2021. supported the motion to elevate the town into a city.

The report asking the Senate to elevate the town was tabled by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ after a thorough scrutiny by Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui had campaigned for the elevation noting that Nakuru is the second-highest contributor to the value of goods produced countrywide.

He also argued that the town was strategically located to link major urban centers.

"The municipality also has an approved Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan (2014-2034) that is currently in force. The county has also put in place measures to optimally collect more revenue.

"Nakuru has the conference facilities capable of hosting a large delegation. The county headquarters and Nakuru High School also have conference facilities," noted Kinyanjui.

In November 2020, the Senate had denied Nakuru its city status after the senators established that several children were rounded from the town and dumped at a forest in Baringo.

A photo of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui speaking to journalists his office on November 6, 2019.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui speaking to journalists in his office on November 6, 2019.
File