Eldoret's Pioneer Affordable Housing Project Nearing Completion
By Jessica Nyaboke
The over 24,800 affordable housing units in Pioneer Estate, Eldoret City, are nearly complete.
According to Uasin Gishu elected leaders, the units will soon be handed over to locals.
Speaking during a tour of the project on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi said the project has taken less than a year to be completed.
Sudi also revealed plans to construct a new classroom block at Kimalel Primary School, which he said was in a sorry state.
He also warned individuals who had previously grabbed part of the school land.
“We will not allow land grabbers to take over a public utility at the expense of the locals,” the vocal MP said.
He warned that those behind land grabbing in Eldoret will soon face the full force of the law.
Meanwhile, Uasin Gishu County Woman MP Gladys Boss challenged locals to register with Boma Yangu so as to benefit from the Affordable Housing Units.
“Many will soon see the benefits of this housing project. If you have a payslip, register for Boma Yangu and start payments to own one of the units,” the legislator said.
“Even my house helps, I advised them to register for Boma Yangu because everybody is eligible to own one of the units,” she added.
Similar sentiments were shared by Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, who asked farmers to also consider owning one of the houses.
Affordable Housing projects in Eldoret
Bii said similar projects at Kidiwa (220 units at Kidiwa I, 2,004 units at Kidiwa II) and Kimumu (226 housing units) are progressing well. The government is also constructing 2,188 units within the proposed Eldoret Railway City.
The leaders later visited the ultra-modern Eldoret Wholesale Market, which is still under construction.
Once complete, the market will complete at least 3,000 traders.
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Joseph Likavo’s Burial Service Date Set for Later This Month
The committee planning for the burial of International Vision Centre (ICV) founder Apostle Joseph Likavo has issued an update on preparations for the final send-off.
Likavo died on December 18, 2025, while undergoing treatment in the United States of America.
Last week, the committee announced the postponement of the planned memorial service due to logistical challenges.
But in an update issued on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the funeral committee said it had finally settled on the dates for the memorial and burial service
When and where will Likavo be buried?
According to the committee, the memorial service will be held on January 27, 2026, while the burial service will be a day later, January 28, 2026.
“We wish to notify you of the following confirmed funeral programme: there will be a memorial service on Tuesday, 27th January 2026, and the burial service will take place on Wednesday, 28th January 2026,” read part of the statement.
“Both events will take place in Eldoret city. All other details will be communicated later,” it added.
The statement was jointly signed by IVC General Secretary Rev Paul Kamau and Funeral Planning Committee Chairman Julius Atsango.
In addition, the church and the committee said they appreciate their members’ patience, prayers, cooperation, and overwhelming moral and material support during this difficult time.
“We thank God for his grace, comfort and strength as we continue with preparations for the homegoing of his servant Apostle Joseph Likavo,” the committee said.
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Moiben MP Phylis Bartoo Launches 2026 Food for Education Programme
Junior secondary school learners from vulnerable families in Moiben constituency, Uasin Gishu County, have a reason to smile.
This is after area Member of Parliament Prof Phylis Bartoo flagged off the Food for Education Programme for the 2026 school calender.
The flagging off event was held at Ngomongo Primary and Junior Second School on Tuesday, January 5, 2026.
Speaking during the event, MP Bartoo said the initiative is aimed at keeping children children in school.
“The Food for Education Programme for the 2026 school calendar is a commitment aimed at keeping children in classrooms, supporting families, and giving hope to learners in our informal settlements,” she said.
“When we feed a child, we nourish their mind, protect their future, and strengthen our nation,” the MP added.
Prof Bartoo who is also an educationist said education has the power to transform lives, but only when children are able to stay in school, learn with dignity, and dream without hunger.
“Through this initiative, we are not only investing in education but also in the wellbeing and future of our pupils,” she said.
The initiative will benefit learners in all public day junior secondary schools across Moiben Sub-County.
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Uasin Gishu Health Officials Conduct Support Supervision at Kabobo and Soy Health Centres, Reaffirm 24-hour Care
Uasin Gishu: Residents of Kabobo, Soy and surrounding areas have been urged to seek healthcare services at their local facilities following a comprehensive support supervision exercise led by the County Executive for Health Services, Janet Kurgat.
The visit to Kabobo and Soy Health Centres focused on assessing service delivery, strengthening the quality of care, and engaging frontline health workers as part of the county’s ongoing efforts to enhance accessible and people-centred healthcare.
Speaking during the supervision exercise on Tuesday, January 5, 2026, CECM Kurgat reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to providing 24-hour maternity and medical emergency services.
She ne noted that both facilities are well positioned to serve surrounding communities day and night.
“We want our people to know that quality healthcare is available close to them. These facilities operate 24 hours for maternity and medical emergencies, and our health workers are ready to serve,” the CECM said.
Chief Officer for Promotive and Preventive Health, Dr Paul Wangwe and Director of Medical Services, Dr Evans Kiprotich accompanied the county minister during the inspection.
Which services are offered at Soy and Kabobo health centres?
The two health centres offer a wide range of essential services, including outpatient care, child welfare clinics (CWC), postnatal services, Antenatal Care (ANC), family planning, general consultations, laboratory services, and fully stocked pharmacies.
Patients can also access Social Health Authority (SHA) services, helping to ease the cost burden of care and improve service uptake.
Dr Wangwe emphasized the importance of promotive and preventive health services, encouraging early health-seeking behaviour and routine clinic visits to prevent complications.
“Early diagnosis and continuous care save lives. We urge residents to utilize services such as ANC, postnatal care, family planning, and child welfare clinics available at Kabobo and Soy Health Centres,” he said.
The leadership team also engaged with health workers, reviewing service gaps and providing guidance aimed at improving efficiency, patient experience, and accountability.
The Department of Health Services has called on residents to fully utilize Kabobo and Soy Health Centres, assuring them of professional care, essential medicines, and reliable round-the-clock emergency services.
With strengthened supervision and renewed commitment from county leadership, the two facilities, like all the others, contribute to the overall agenda of bringing quality, affordable healthcare closer to the people.
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Eldoret Locals Yet to Feel the Impact of City Status, Slam County for Poor Planning
By Sosten Kiprono
It has been over a year since Eldoret was elevated to the prestigious city status, but to many of the locals, only the name changed, and everything remained the same.
Eldoret was officially declared a city on August 15, 2024, making it the fifth city in Kenya after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
The decision followed the approval of an ad-hoc committee under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, No 13 of 2011, and was confirmed after the town met various criteria, including population requirements, infrastructure development, and service provision.
When President William Ruto awarded Eldoret the city charter, many of the locals were hopeful of a change which had yet to be felt, at least to most of those who spoke to Uasin Gishu News on January 6, 2026.
“There is no improvement. Apart from planting trees, no improvement is visible within the city centre. If you go walking, there is no footpath. Old people, 80/70 years they, can fall on the streets. There is no change. They should work on expanding the roads, getting trucks and tankers off the big, busy Uganda Road and sort out the issue of parking within the city limits,” said Artur Shah, a bookshop owner.
Challenges facing Eldoret City
Poor planning, lack of a well-defined sewer system and lack of a well-synchronised road network are among many other issues that residents say should be tackled to make visible the status of the city.
Matweke, a photographer in Eldoret, argue that the town was hurriedly conferred the city status while in reality it was not yet ready.
He proposed that the city council work on having one business permit and license to accommodate all the others, to make it easier for businesses to run with some sense of order.
He also urged fellow traders and business persons to adhere to rules and regulations, which he said was the only way to make a conducive environment for a thriving commerce, not only for them but also for the city’s standards.
Despite locals’ concerns over the lack of progress that Eldoret has made since it was awarded city status, the county has been able to install traffic lights, which are now fully functional.
There are also plans to install solar-powered smart street lights within the city centre.
