Construction works for a state-of-the-art Eldoret arboretum are now at an advanced stage.
According to the Uasin Gishu County Physical Planning and Urban Development Chief Officer (CO) Kenneth Mbeka, the project is currently at 88 percent completion.
Speaking during the supervision of the project, Mbeka said, so far, the construction of walkways, main gate, cabro-layed vehicle area, ablution blocks, and gazebos are at final stages.
The Eldoret Arboretum, once complete, will serve as a recreational and research Centre for Uasin Gishu locals.
Eldoret town is aspiring to be elevated to city status, and having an arboretum and recreational facilities is one of the key requirements.
And according to the Physical Planning and Urban Development CO, the Municipality of Eldoret is well prepared and gearing itself to be the fifth city in the country as it has already established several green spaces among them the Nandi park and beautification in 64 Street, as key factors to meet city status.
Construction of the Eldoret Arboretum was officially launched in May 2021.
The arboretum located next to the Kipchoge Keino stadium will be jointly managed by the County Government of Uasin Gishu and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
“Under Urban Cities Act, it is required for a city to have public places and with the help of KFS, we want the arboretum here to be in a good state. We will also expand the Sosiani Park in the town,” Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago said in a past visit to the arboretum.
Already, the county has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment that will provide for among others supporting plan to develop and upgrade the arboretum to international standards.
“We want to have footpaths, benches, and modern toilets at this place so that it is of the international standards required,” Environment Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo said during an inspection tour of Eldoret Arboretum in March 2021.
With the support of partners for the annual Eldoret City marathon whose theme is climate action, the arboretum has been planted hundreds of indigenous trees.
