Pursuant to the Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2019, on the establishment of urban areas and cities, Uasin Gishu County Governor H.E Dr Jonathan Bii Chelilim, on Friday, May 17, 2024, launched the upgrade of six townships to Municipalities in the county.
“The six Municipalities:- Ziwa, Mois-Bridge, Turbo, Burnt Forest, Kesses and Moiben, in our preliminary report meet the requisite for the upgrade to Municipality. The upgrade of townships to Municipalities is in line with the Nguzo Kumi initiative that makes up the blueprint plan for the management of devolved units.
I am implementing what I promised the people,” said Dr. Bii.
He further added that he has appointed professionals to the ad-hoc committees who will report on the checklist as per the act.
“At this historic moment, I emphasise that the future is Urban. By 2050 a big percentage of the population will be living in cities and Urban areas. Hence we will not ignore the preparedness to face the future trends.
As we plan, we will not ignore the Urban poor. Urban planning is very important to ensure we eliminate slum growth,” added Dr. Bii
World Bank urban funds
Governor Bii noted that the new Municipalities will benefit from urban Funds, both from the World Bank and the Kenyan Government, that will increase the Development of proper infrastructure, increase trade and job creation.
Bii added that the process was long overdue and time should be of the essence. He also asked the ad-hoc committee to table the reports within the stipulated time frame given.
County secretary Edwin Bett assured that the process had the full support of the executive and reminded the team of experts to speed up the process.
County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development Dr Janeth Kosgei, took the opportunity to explore the benefits of conferment of the townships to Municipalities as among them, infrastructural developments, increased trading, elimination of slums and provision of opportunities of growth to future cities.
In addition, the chair of Lands and Physical planning Moses Kebenei, recognized the Governor’s role in making history, in his time, the history of the land was written, and he will be remembered as the Governor who brought Eldoret to city status and established 6 Municipalities around the county.
“We are proud of what you are doing to Uasin Gishu people,” said MCA Kebenei.
Economic developments in Uasin Gishu municipalities
Chair of Housing and Urban Development Amos Kiptanui further noted that the economic developments expected will bring great changes.
“You have all our support and shall certainly pass it once it’s tabled at the county assembly,” the MCA added.
The Governor later unveiled the Ad-hoc committee members and the secretariat who would be tasked with the critical role of doing the reports and public engagement in two months.
