Uasin Gishu County has rescheduled the event celebrating Eldoret’s elevation to city status from August 8th to August 15th. This change aligns the ceremony with the winners’ gala of the Kenya Music Festivals at Moi Girls High School. Once conferred, Eldoret will become Kenya’s fifth official city, joining Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
Initially planned for August 8th, the ceremony was postponed by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii. According to Section 5 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, Eldoret must develop a comprehensive city plan managed by the municipal board. This plan could lead to new directives in land use and spatial planning, resulting in structural changes.
The act also requires cities to invest in long-term infrastructure, such as paved streets, street lighting, markets, improved roads, and waste management services. Residents and businesses may need to adapt quickly to achieve these upgrades. City status will bring increased national government investment, but Eldoret will also need to enhance its internal resource mobilization to fund necessary operations and projects.
In the last financial year, Uasin Gishu County collected KES 1.1 billion and expects KES 8.4 billion from equitable revenue sharing in the 2024/2025 national budget. Infrastructure and municipal administration are top priorities in the county’s KES 9.8 billion budget.
Eldoret’s new status could attract investors and private sector businesses, potentially increasing county revenue to cover a KES 1.2 billion expenditure deficit. However, if these plans do not materialize swiftly, the municipal board may raise fees for business licenses, parking for PSVs, and developers’ permits.
Known as the nation’s breadbasket, Uasin Gishu produces much of Kenya’s agricultural output. Eldoret is also the home of the president and many successful athletes. The city boasts the Eldoret International Airport and Moi University’s Main Campus.
City status will likely make Eldoret more attractive to corporations, potentially increasing the population with job seekers and small businesses. This growth will strain amenities like hospitals, schools, housing, and water access. The county will need private sector partnerships to ensure adequate services for the growing population. Failure to do so could lead to challenges similar to those faced by other chartered cities.
