Leaders craft new laws to govern county

By Michael Wesonga

Uasin Gishu County government is formulating new laws to replace the municipal by-laws.

The new interim county manager, formerly town clerk, Mr Pius Munialo however said the current by-laws will stay in force until the legislative arm of the county finalises and adopts a new set of rules and regulations.

He admitted some form of lawlessness rocked the town during and after the electioneering period.

“Some people had refused to pay for licences but normal operations like development control have however resumed following stiff enforcement of the existing by-laws,” he said.

Mr Munialo noted that implementation of the new rules will highly depend on the speed of enactment by the county assembly and thus had no stipulated time frame.

“We have taken precaution as far as moving hawkers out of town is concerned but the matter will be under resolve when the Governor finally settles in office,” he explained.

He said the process could include inheriting some existing by-laws or modifying them and creating new ones.

Transition Authority commissioner Simon Pkiyach said the laws enacted must not override the Constitution or any other national laws.

“They should not pass laws in conflict with the Constitution or other national laws, however county governments may under special circumstances enact laws that supersede national laws but never the Constitution because it is the supreme law of the land,” he said.

economic vibrancy

Eldoret is not just the fifth largest town in Kenya, it also the economic base of the North Rift and one of the fastest growing metropolis in East and Central Africa.

The town is strategically placed along the robust International Great North road network that gives it an advantage for regional trade.

It additionally hosts the Eldoret International Airport that handles 80 per cent import and export cargo in East and Central Africa.

The enacted by-laws are thus essential in maintaining the town’s social economic vibrancy.

Business owners will watch out to see whether the laws create conducive investment environment particularly in the real estate category that is yet to take off.

“We want laws that will attract investment and create conducive environment to do business not self-serving and punitive,” said Albert Kiprono, a real estate agent.