The Uasin Gishu County Government has attributed delays in the construction of a proposed museum and snake park at the Eldoret Arboretum to an ongoing land ownership dispute that has halted implementation of the project.
County Secretary Phillip Melly said the county had already developed plans for the facility and was ready to begin construction before a court case emerged challenging land ownership.
“We had designed the museum and snake park and even secured a contractor to begin the project, but we received a court order claiming the land belonged to a private individual,” Melly said.
According to Melly, the county sought clarification from the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), which maintained that the land forms part of its property. However, the conflicting ownership claims have made it difficult for the county to proceed with development.
“We reached out to KFS, and they told us the land is theirs, but it becomes tricky to implement a project where there is a tussle over ownership,” he said.
Why Uasin Gishu plans to set up a museum in Eldoret City
Melly emphasised that the county remains committed to establishing a museum, saying it is one of the key facilities required for a city. He noted that cities are expected to maintain public amenities and open spaces, including museums, parks, cemeteries and crematoriums.
“A city has several mandatory requirements, including a museum and a park. Open spaces are important features in cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru,” he said.
The county had earmarked the Eldoret Arboretum for both a museum and a snake park, which would serve as a conservation and educational centre for reptiles, including snakes, chameleons and other species.
Despite the legal setback, Melly said the county will continue setting aside funds for the project and will move forward once the ownership dispute is resolved.
“We will not stop the museum project because it is a requirement. We will always have a budget line for it, and once we secure the land, we will proceed,” he said, adding that should the dispute remain unresolved, the county may consider relocating the project to another parcel of public land.
“If we do not sort out the matter, we will have to get public land elsewhere for the museum project, which includes a snake park,” Melly said.
The planned museum is part of efforts to strengthen Eldoret City’s cultural, educational and recreational infrastructure while meeting key urban development requirements.
