The Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has granted approval for the Municipality of Eldoret to attain city status.
In a comprehensive report submitted to the legislative body, the committee affirmed that Eldoret has successfully met all the criteria outlined in Section 5 and the First Schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011, making it eligible for city status.
In its deliberations concerning the request to elevate Eldoret Municipality to city status, the committee engaged in extensive discussions with prominent figures, including Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and the Uasin Gishu County Senator. Furthermore, consultations with representatives of the National Executive were conducted to ensure a thorough assessment.
The committee conducted an on-site visit to the county to interact with both branches of the Uasin Gishu County Government and to gain firsthand experience of the various facilities and services enumerated in the first schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011. To engage the public and gather their perspectives on the application, a public participation initiative was also organized.
The report emphasized that Eldoret’s population stands at an estimated 475,716 individuals, with 237,223 males and 238,477 females, according to the 2019 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Population and Housing Census. This figure significantly surpasses the minimum population requirement of 250,000 residents for urban areas to attain city status.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that the Municipality of Eldoret has formulated an Integrated Urban Development Plan for the period spanning 2021 to 2026. Additionally, it has established a Spatial Plan and a Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan, indicative of its comprehensive urban planning efforts.
The municipality’s financial sustainability was also noted in the report, with a revenue potential of Sh2.5 billion and an actual collection of Sh900 million in the previous fiscal year. Eldoret possesses the capability to independently generate revenue through means such as market operations, single business permits, land rates, street parking, and bus parks.
To comply with the First Schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011, the report recommended that the County Government of Uasin Gishu, in partnership with the Kenya National Museums, expedite plans for the construction of a museum in Eldoret town.
Upon receiving the resolution from the Uasin Gishu County Assembly endorsing the report of the Ad Hoc committee regarding the conferment of city status upon the Municipality of Eldoret, members of the standing committee embarked on a fact-finding mission to validate the findings and recommendations.
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