Eldoret has become Kenya's fifth city after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru after President William Ruto awarded it a charter to seal its city status.
Speaking during a ceremony attended by governors from the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) region, including the host, Uasin Gishu’s Jonathan Bii, Ruto reaffirmed that Eldoret had met the criteria required for an urban area to become a city after being vetted by the Senate.
“Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred on the head of state under section 7 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, I, Kipchirchir William Samoei Ruto, president of Kenya and Commander in Chief of Kenya’s Defence Forces do hereby ordain, declare and direct that the municipality of Eldoret has been conferred with city status,” Ruto declared.
The Head of State said Eldoret should now focus on the great opportunities and significant challenges ahead, not only because the future is urban but also because it has what it takes to emerge as the ultimate city of the future.
Ruto noted that Eldoret's future development and prosperity lie in the strategic framework laid down by the county through its planning, policy, and regulations, as well as other mechanisms. This framework must deliver a safe, orderly, ecologically sustainable, and efficient city that promotes the dignity and well-being of residents and communities.
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“The new city must also foster an economic environment which provides opportunities and a business climate that rewards enterprises which bring their investments here,” he said.
Ruto also awarded the Order of the Burning Spear to distinguished men and women who distinguished themselves by representing Eldoret in their respective dockets.
These included three-time Diamond League champion Vivian Cheruiyot, former Nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny, educationist Paul Boit, and former mayor Joseph Lesiew.
