Eldoret inches close to city status as senators inspect key projects

 

The Senate Committee on Devolution and Inter-Governmental Relations is expected to make an inspection tour of various infrastructure projects in Eldoret town which is seeking conferment of city status.

The Wajir Senator Sheikh Abbas-led committee is expected to inspect the central business district fire station, the on-going upgrading of Kipchoge Keino Stadium to international standards and street lighting and road upgrading projects in the town.

Eldoret Municipality Board chairman Julius Kitur said other flagship projects the committee is expected to inspect include the Sh15 million rehabilitation of the Sosiani River and the refurbished Eldoret arboretum.
Kitur expressed optimism that the cosmopolitan town that is North Rift’s largest commercial hub will attain city status.

He said that Eldoret Municipality had fulfilled all the legal requirements to merit being elevated into a city.

“Those claiming that we have not met some requirements are behind the news,” he said.

Drainage system

 Kitur said that if Eldoret is granted city status, it will lead to the establishment of new business ventures and spur growth in the region.

The Municipality has been pushing to be made the fifth city after Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kisumu. In May, Uasin Gishu Assembly approved a report from an ad hoc committee recommending conferment of city status to Eldoret Municipality.

Other projects the Uasin Gishu County government has been undertaking in anticipation of the new status are the improvement of drainage systems and the dump site.

 The town’s hope of achieving its dream was boosted when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi stated during the just-concluded devolution conference that the Senate will consider the resolution by Uasin Gishu County Assembly.

 “I referred the resolution by the Uasin Gishu County assembly to the Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-Governmental Relations for consideration,” said Kingi.

 If approved by the Senate, the report will be forwarded to President William Ruto to grant the town city charter.

 Eldoret Town is also set to get its largest retail markets in the town centre once Sh6 billion project funded by the National Government is completed in the next two years.   BY PEOPLE'S DAILY