Eldoret's Bid To Become City Derails

Aerial view of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County
Aerial view of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County
File

Eldoret town's bid to become Kenya's fourth city has been derailed by infrastructural challenges even as local leaders expressed optimism. 

The town's infrastructure is struggling as administrators seek to attain the infrastructure needed for a city.

Business operations have faced disruption resulting from poor drainage experienced in rainy seasons in the Uasin Gichu county headquarters.

According to Uasin Governor Jackson Mandago, Eldoret must improve its sewer line, have a proper garbage management system, and control flooding waters in the town. 

“We have attained a majority of these requirements and within one and a half years we are hopeful that we will be able to qualify to become a city,” said Mandago.

The National Government in collaboration with the county has set aside land for the construction of affordable housing units as part of Jubilee’s Big Four Agenda.

Governor Jackson Mandago
Governor Jackson Mandago
Kenyans.co.ke

Governor Jackson Mandago said they were on the road to achieving the city status due to improved roads and other infrastructural development.

Eldoret Municipality Chairman Julius Kitur, said the issue of boundaries would be looked into as it needs to have an airport to be upgraded to a city. Eldoret International Airport is 15 kilometres outside the town and is not under the municipality. 

A charter granting Eldoret Town to a municipality status has already been gazetted after approval by the County Assembly and assented to by Mandago.

Eldoret Municipal Board was unveiled last year to warrant the town a city status.

The Cabinet made the move to amend the Urban Areas and Cities Act to provide for five cities from three in 2017. It sanctioned the amendment Bill presented to Parliament for scrutiny and approval.

Eldoret is eyeing the city status by the end year in a bid to join the current three - Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu. 

Nakuru is also eyeing the city status and has had a highly spirited campaign that has been marred with accusations of mistreating street children to dupe inspectors. 

Members of Kenya Urban Support Program(KUSP)
Members of Kenya Urban Support Program(KUSP)
Kenyans.co.ke