Historic Moment: Eldoret Becomes Kenya’s Fifth City Amidst Pomp and Ceremony.

It was a day of pomp and color in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, as President William Ruto ushered in a new era by officially awarding the municipality city status. With the signing of the charter, Eldoret has now joined Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru as Kenya’s fifth city.

The ceremony, held at Eldoret Sports Club, was a vibrant affair featuring dances and cultural exhibitions that celebrated the rich heritage of the new city.

President Ruto, alongside Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, signed the charter, officially granting Eldoret its city status. During his speech, the Head of State reaffirmed that Eldoret had met the necessary criteria for an urban area to be elevated to city status.

“Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Head of State under section 7 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, I, Kipchirchir William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of Kenya’s Defence Forces, do hereby ordain, declare, and direct that the municipality of Eldoret has been conferred with city status,” President Ruto announced.

In addition to the city charter, the President also awarded the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) to distinguished individuals who have played a significant role in representing Eldoret in their respective fields. Honorees included three-time Diamond League champion Vivian Cheruiyot, former Nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny, educationist Paul Boit, and former mayor Joseph Lesiew, among others.

The Senate’s endorsement of the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations’ report paved the way for Eldoret’s elevation to city status. Following the Senate’s approval, Governor Bii expressed optimism about the opportunities the new status would bring.

“We are looking at the opportunities that city status will bring to us. We know we will attract investors from all over the world. We need to package ourselves in a way that the whole world knows we are here,” the governor remarked during the event in Eldoret on August 13, 2024.

Eldoret’s origins date back to 1908 when South Africans settled in the area to escape British rule. After finding the area unsuitable for farming, they established an administrative center that attracted other settlers, leading to the town’s growth. By 1911, more families had joined, and Eldoret began to take shape as a town amid the surrounding farms.

Today, Eldoret boasts diverse economic activities, from large-scale farming to manufacturing industries. The city is also known for being home to legendary Kenyan athletes and hosts several training grounds, including the IAAF High Altitude Training Centre.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.