Nakuru inches closer to city status

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui. [Photo, File]

Traders in Nakuru have welcomed the signing of a charter that drew the town closer to becoming a city.

The charter, which was signed last week by Governor Lee Kinyanjui, came a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta assented to the Urban Areas and Cities (amendment) Bill 2017, paving way for the creation of two more cities besides Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

Nakuru Business Association chairman Mwangi Muchemi said the signing of municipal charters for Nakuru and Naivasha would boost business operations.

“We have hopes that this will now improve the quality of lives and improve the mode of operating businesses in the two municipalities given the guidelines in place,” he said.

While signing the two charters, Mr Kinyanjui described them as an important step in Nakuru town's journey towards attaining the city status.

He called on the county assembly to expedite the process of vetting of his nominees to the two municipalities' boards to allow them to begin work immediately.

The municipal boards will control land sub-division, development and zoning within the municipality.

Upgrade to city

“After being sworn in, members of the board will recommend to the County Assembly that the municipality be upgraded to a city.

Once the Assembly passes this Motion, it will be forwarded to the Senate and then the President,” said Kinyanjui.

Under the new Urban Areas and Cities (amendment) law of 2017, the number of inhabitants required for a town to become a city has been reduced to 250,000 people.  

Nakuru, with a population of 800,000, according to the 2009 census, and a rich history that dates back to the precolonial era, is one of two towns earmarked for elevation. The other one is Eldoret.

Already, Mr Kinyanjui has stepped up an ambitious push to ensure Nakuru town matches city status.

Besides the population size, for an urban area to be classified as a city, it should demonstrate capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations and have key infrastructure.

The town must also have a city development plan.

While signing the charters, Kinyanjui said they would spur growth in the two municipalities and attract more investors.

“The signing of the two charters is in the best interest of the two municipalities. It will also unlock the potential of accessing grants for development,” he said.

Spur expansion

The signing of the charter is also expected to necessitate the expansion of roads and improvement of infrastructure and sanitation.

It is also expected to enhance the town's funding status from the national government and foreign donors.

The chairman of the county land's committee Stephen Ngethe said the new charter should be implemented as soon as possible.

“Forming two municipalities is a great achievement. What remains is to implement the charter as quickly as possible,” said Mr Ngethe.