Eldoret City Status Approval
Eldoret is poised to become Kenya’s fifth city, with President William Ruto set to grant it city status on August 15, 2024. This new status will place Eldoret alongside Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru, and is expected to bring significant benefits to residents, including enhanced services and increased investment opportunities.
Over the years, Eldoret has seen substantial growth in various areas, such as population, infrastructure, healthcare, education, trade, and industry.
For a town to achieve city status, approval from the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is necessary.
The Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Act of 2019 outlines the criteria for a town’s classification as a city. According to this law, an urban area must have a population of at least 250,000 residents, based on the most recent gazetted census results.
The 2019 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics estimated Eldoret’s population at 475,716, well above the required threshold.
Additionally, the town must have a comprehensive urban or city development plan and demonstrate effective management systems and record-keeping.
To be granted city status, a town must meet several key criteria. It must demonstrate the capacity to effectively deliver essential services to its residents and actively involve them in managing local affairs.
Among the requirements are well-developed infrastructure, including roads, street lighting, markets, and fire stations, as well as adequate facilities to respond to potential disasters. Additionally, an effective waste disposal system is crucial.
A report by the Senate Committee, which evaluated Eldoret’s readiness for city status, highlighted areas needing improvement, such as extending the runway and acquiring modern firefighting equipment. These enhancements are vital for Eldoret to meet the high standards expected of a city and to fully serve its growing population.
According to the Senate Committee, Eldoret has the potential to generate Ksh.2.5 billion in revenue, with the town having already reached a high of Ksh.0.99 billion in the last financial year. This revenue is expected to come from various sources, including markets, business permits, land rates, and street parking, among others.
The report also highlighted that Eldoret has implemented effective management practices to deliver essential services to its residents, meeting the criteria outlined in the Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Act.
The Senate debated this report in September 2023, and it received unanimous approval four months later. With these developments, President William Ruto is now set to grant Eldoret a city charter, officially recognizing its new status as a city.
Eldoret City Status Approval
