Eldoret Elevated to Fifth Kenyan City as President Ruto Signs Charter
The historic event, held at Eldoret Sports Club, elevated Eldoret to Kenya’s fifth city, joining Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
By Faith Mukhwana
Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, was abuzz with excitement on Thursday as President William Ruto officially conferred city status on the municipality. The historic event, held at Eldoret Sports Club, elevated Eldoret to Kenya’s fifth city, joining Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
The ceremony was marked by vibrant cultural dances and exhibitions celebrating Eldoret’s rich heritage. President Ruto, alongside Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii, signed the charter that formally recognized Eldoret as a city.
This milestone followed a thorough assessment confirming that Eldoret met the criteria for city classification under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011. The upgrade was also approved by both the Uasin Gishu County Assembly and the Senate.
In his address, President Ruto highlighted Eldoret’s compliance with the requirements for urban areas to attain city status. “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Head of State and Government under Section 7 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, I, Kipchirchir William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, hereby ordain, declare, and direct that the municipality of Eldoret has been conferred with city status,” the President announced.
The President also bestowed the Order of the Burning Spear on distinguished individuals who had made significant contributions to Eldoret’s development in various sectors.
President Ruto further emphasized that Eldoret’s new status would unlock numerous socio-economic opportunities. “Its elevation into a city will attract more and higher-quality investments, offering a chance to harness its full potential,” he remarked, noting that the change is expected to spur infrastructure development and accelerate economic growth.
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