Senators have unanimously endorsed a report by a House team recommending the elevation of Eldoret municipality into a city.
This implies that the town awaits conferment of charter to become Kenya’s fifth city.
The other cities are Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.
The Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee had recommended the House approves a request by the county government to elevate the fast-growing town to a city.
“The committee recommends that the Municipality of Eldoret be conferred city status, having met the requirements as set out under Section 5 and the First Schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011,” the team said.
The lawmakers said elevation of Eldoret was long overdue.
“We have the opportunity of give city status to Eldoret municipality,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said.
He said Eldoret is not only an agricultural centre, but also an educational town.
Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga said Eldoret is strategically placed and has critical facilities and infrastructure to warrant its promotion.
He said it is a terminal for the Kenya Pipeline, which gives the possibility for Uganda to easily transport their oil from Mombasa.
It also has a railway terminal, with a station, which facilitates business. The town has an international airport.
“People from my area go to Eldoret for specialised treatment. Eldoret has efficient hospitals, including the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital,” Oburu said.
“It is also a fact that Eldoret is the city of champions. It is not just the champions from Uasin Gishu county, but champions from Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet and other counties.”
City status means an urban area qualifies for more benefits, grants, national staff and attracts more people and investment.
It must meet conditions established in the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
The Devolution committee said the population of Eldoret Municipality is estimated at 475,716, exceeding the required city population of 250,000.
“Therefore, the Municipality of Eldoret satisfies the first criteria under Section 5 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011,” the report states.
In addition, the committee said Eldoret has an Integrated Urban Development Plan for the period (2021-26).
The municipality also has a Spatial Plan and a Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan.
“The municipality has capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operation since its revenue potential is Sh2.5 billion, with the highest actual collection of Sh0.99 billion in the last financial year,” the report reads.
It adds that the town also has the capacity to collect own source revenue from markets, single business permits, land rates, street parking and bus parks.
The municipality has adhered to the best practices of management, such as planning, organising, directing and controlling resources towards the achievement of service delivery for its residents.
“That the municipality has infrastructural facilities, including roads, street lighting, markets, airports, airstrips and fire stations, and an adequate capacity for disaster management,” the report states.