Eldoret Town is set to receive city status today, Thursday, August 15 and this achievement represents a major milestone, highlighting the town’s growth, development, and increased regional influence.
Located in the heart of Uasin Gishu County, Eldoret will become the country’s fifth city and with this, many wonder what criteria a Kenyan town must meet to receive this prestigious designation.
This upgrade is not just a change in name; it represents the town’s readiness to handle the responsibilities and embrace the opportunities that city status entails.
Below are some of the requirements for a town to be conferred city status:
1. Population size: The area must have at least 500,000 residents, according to the final figures from the most recent population census.
This ensures the town has enough human resources to meet the economic, social, and infrastructural demands of city life.
2. Public participation: The area must show that its residents are actively and institutionally involved in managing local affairs. In Eldoret’s case, community groups and local organizations are engaged in decision-making processes and management of public services, ensuring that residents have a voice in how the town is run.
3. Infrastructure: The area must have essential infrastructure, including waste management systems, roads, street lighting, markets, fire stations, and robust disaster management capabilities.
4. Economic viability: The town needs to exhibit strong economic health, marked by multiple revenue channels and a thriving local economy. This involves assessing how well it can generate its own revenue, attract investments, and support ongoing economic expansion.
5. Urban planning: Proper urban planning is essential for managing growth and development. A town seeking city status must have a well-structured urban plan that addresses housing, land use, zoning regulations, and environmental sustainability.
6. Administrative capacity: The local government must prove its ability to administer effectively, which includes transparent governance, efficient service provision, and the capability to handle the expanded duties associated with city status.
7. Civic and social services: A town must provide its residents with outstanding civic and social services, including top-tier education, healthcare, security, and other essential services that enhance community well-being. Eldoret is home to key institutions like Moi University and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, along with other vital facilities that support its advancement to city status.
Granting a town to city status in Kenya involves a detailed process and the coordination of several governmental and professional bodies. Below is a summary of the procedure:
1. Presidential conferment
In Kenya, city status can be granted to a municipality by the President through a charter, provided that the Senate has first passed a resolution confirming that the municipality meets the necessary criteria.
2. Application for city status
This is done into two steps:
I) Initiation
To apply for city status, a municipality’s board must pass a resolution and submit a formal application to the county executive committee.
II)Approval by executive committee
After the county executive committee approves the application, the county governor must create an ad hoc committee to perform a more thorough review of the application.
3. Ad Hoc committee review
The ad hoc committee is made up of professionals selected by various institutions, ensuring a diverse mix of regional, ethnic, gender, and disability representation. The institutions involved are:
- The Institution of Surveyors of Kenya
- The Kenya Institute of Planners
- The Architectural Association of Kenya
- The Law Society of Kenya
- An association of urban areas and cities
- The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya
- The business community
This committee is hence tasked with assessing whether the municipality meets the criteria for city status and then advises the county governor accordingly.
4. County assembly approval
If the ad hoc committee determines that the municipality meets the criteria, the county governor submits the recommendation to the county assembly for approval.
Once the county assembly approves the resolution, the clerk of the county assembly forwards it to the Senate for review.
5. Senate consideration
The Senate examines the county assembly’s recommendation. If it is approved, the Senate clerk sends the resolution to the President.
6. Final conferment by the president
Upon receiving the Senate’s resolution, the President may grant city status to the municipality by issuing a charter.
Eldoret’s elevation to city status has been warmly welcomed across the Rift Valley region, particularly given that it is President William Ruto’s political stronghold. Many residents are hopeful that this development will spur much-needed progress in the surrounding regions.
