Farmers in North Rift have cautioned against a rushed plan to elevate Eldoret town into a city without proper infrastructure and facilities.
Farmers also fear that an extension of the town's boundaries into the hinterland could cause interference with agricultural land required for food production.
Eldoret is commonly referred to as the "farmers town" and they want it to remain so for now.
The town measures about 12 square kilometres, but it will be expanded if it is upgraded to city status.
The farmers presented their views at the ongoing public meetings on the planned conferment of the city status to Eldoret Municipality.
The meetings have been ongoing at Eldoret West Hall, chaired by Willy Kenei, who is also chairman of Uasin Gishu Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Farmers who presented their views were led by Kipkorir Menjo, Christopher Kolum, Reuben Cheruiyot and Thomas Boen.
“We prefer that there should be no rush to push for city status yet. We do not have the necessary infrastructure in place. We need gradual growth to city status but not push things when we are not ready,” Menjo said.
Kolum said the town is still in confusion with no controlled traffic, poor sewer lines, lack of bridges on major roads and narrow roads including the Eldoret-Kisumu road which leads to the Eldoret International Airport.
“We have boda bodas criss-crossing the town in a chaotic manner causing accidents every day and it seems we have no capacity to control such small things yet we want to rush to city status,” Kolum said.
Farmers also fear that land rates will be increased to match city status and that may cause them to lose their plots and other investments.
They want time to prepare to develop the plots they own in the town.
Governor for Uasin Gishu Jonathan Bii has also expressed keen interest in ensuring that the town is developed into a city that will provide a conducive environment for residents and investors.
The county boss has said his administration will focus on promoting cooperation and stronger partnerships to increase trading activities among residents, other counties, locally and internationally.
“As a county administration, we will create an investor-friendly environment to attract both local and international investors. We need an environment suitable for small and medium enterprises all the way to the big investors seeking opportunities in our county,” Bii said.
He said the county has great potential and opportunities to create jobs for youth and residents.
“I will lead in ensuring that we position our economy in Eldoret and the entire county to grow quickly,” Bii said.
There has been deliberate plans to improve the infrastructure in Eldoret, among other facilities, that will enable the town to attain city status.
A Sh7 billion Southern Bypass has been completed to help decongest the town which experiences traffic jams frequently mainly because of trucks using the main Uganda road.
Trucks ferrying goods to neighbouring countries will be re-routed to the bypass that is to be commissioned soon.
“With a good road network we will speed up movement of goods and people through the town,” Bii said.
The town has also been experiencing frequent water shortages and the national government is in the process of completing two major water projects at more than Sh4 billion.
The projects will ensure the town is water sufficient for the next two decades.
The World Bank has also invested heavily in slum upgrade projects in the town.