Uasin Gishu removes some newly erected statues after public uproar

An uproar erupted in Eldoret after the Uasin Gishu county unveiled several thematic monuments as part of beautification to welcome the city's status for the town.

The uproar erupted especially through social media after the monuments were unveiled only for residents to question the workmanship of the sculptors.

Sources said a top government official was angered by the monuments and ordered that they either be uprooted or replaced.

CEO of the Eldoret Municipal Board Tito Koiyet could not be reached for comment immediately.

Firms contracted to put up the monuments are currently on site uprooting them ahead of President Ruto's event to hand over the city charter to Governor Jonathan Bii.

The majority of residents said they had been taken aback by the work done on the monuments which have been erected at several strategic roundabouts in the town's CBD.

One of the monuments erected at the Fims junction was that of an athlete whose resemblance could not be identified yet the town has hundreds of well-known veteran and current record-breaking athletes.

Pictures of the monuments went around on social media sparking an uproar and backlash against the county administration and the Eldoret Municipal Board.

Another monument of a green maize crop had been erected on the Telecom roundabout but it was also pulled down because it reportedly bore the image of a discoloured maize cob.

Following the uproar, it has been uprooted and replaced with one that looks green.

Residents led by Kipkorir Birgen said in an online post that, “these are monuments of shame and the county could have done better.”

Birgen said the monuments do not reflect the city’s newfound status.