Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii has outlined reasons Eldoret town deserves to be elevated to city status.
He said Eldoret has all the required facilities to become Kenya’s fifth city, including rail, air and road transport making it a major business hub along the Northern Corridor road that links to other neighbouring nations.
“Outside Nairobi, we are the largest medical hub hosting top class hospitals, including the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. We are the best destination for medical tourism and related studies,” Bii said.
The governor said the town is second to Nairobi in concentration of financial institutions, which are more than 40.
“We are also a prime investment destination with all the supporting requirements including adequate water, sewerage, land and human resource,” he said.
The town is also a major education destination hosting top universities including Eldoret and Moi universities.
This comes even as the conferment of city status to Eldoret town was postponed by one week to August 15.
Bii said the ceremony that was to take place on August 8 has been moved after consultation with the national government.
“Following communication from the President’s office the event has been moved forward by a week,” he said.
Bii said all preparations including beautification of the town are going on well and the extra one week will give them more time to finalise arrangements.
“All arrangements will go on as planned to ensure we have the best celebrations to welcome the new city of Eldoret,” he said.
President William Ruto is to preside over the handing over of the city charter to the governor at a ceremony at Eldoret Sports Club.
The President will also attend the winners gala of the ongoing Kenya Music Festival.
The 12-day festival is taking place at Moi Girls High School and has brought together more than 130,000 students and other participants.
Last week, Bii hosted North Rift governors in Eldoret where they expressed excitement over the planned elevation of the town.
The governors promised to work together to make Eldoret a great city.
The county chiefs included Stephen Sang of Nandi, who is also chairman of the North Rift Economic Bloc, Governor Elgeyo Marakwet Wisley Rotich and Jeremiah Lomurukai of Turkana.
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago and MPs from all counties in the region were present.
“We are excited and ready to host the President and all visitors as we celebrate the new city of Eldoret,” Bii said.
