The Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii Chelilim-led administration on Wednesday held an inaugural stakeholder engagement forum to gather proposals from various groups and individuals aimed at fostering an inclusive, responsive, and forward-looking development process for the new Eldoret City—one that will benefit both current and future generations.
Stakeholders in attendance included residents, representatives from government agencies, investors, business partners, developers, and academia. They shared contributions on road infrastructure, drainage solutions, economic development, sanitation, water, and other social services necessary for sustainable growth and efficient public service delivery.
The engagement, geared toward ensuring Eldoret City thrives, was led by County Executive Committee Members Abraham Serem (Roads), Edward Sawe (Lands and Urban Planning), Antony Sitienei (Water), and Eldoret City Manager, Ms. Elzeba Busienei.
“Governor Dr. Bii has a plan to make Eldoret not just a smart city, but an intelligent one where everyone will be proud to live. It is therefore critical to bring all of us together to develop a common plan,” said CECM Serem.
On his part CEEM for Water Antony Sitienei said Governor Jonathan Bii has initiated a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program to provide affordable and efficient street lighting in areas that have not yet been covered.He noted that Phase One of these program will target key parts of the City, while Phase Two will extend to emerging urban centres.
Lands CECM Edward Sawe emphasised the need for road users, especially Boda Boda operators, to observe traffic rules. “We are also pleased to learn from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) that the Northern Corridor will soon be declassified as a transit route for trucks to help decongest the City,” he said.
Stakeholders further proposed a comprehensive transport master plan for Eldoret City. They supported the construction of a dual carriageway linking the CBD to Eldoret International Airport, the installation of box culverts along River Sosiani at Rupa Mall, Zion Mall, Barclays Bank, and the Central Bank on Uganda Road, as well as new road designs to mitigate perennial stormwater challenges.
The meeting, which was also attended by Chief Officers Geoffrey Tanui (Roads) and Mary Kerich (Urban Planning), discussed strategies to address challenges in water supply, road infrastructure, electricity, sewer line expansion, disaster management, and traffic control—all within the framework of the new master plan. This comes as the region anticipates population growth following the completion of the ongoing affordable housing project.
Others who attended the forum included Eldowas Managing Director Dr. Lawrence Tanui, representatives from Kenya Power, KeNHA, KURA, the Eldoret Residents and Land Owners Association, the Chamber of Commerce, among others.
