Nakuru County will receive its charter as Kenya’s fourth city on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.
President Kenyatta will officially grant Nakuru the charter during his tour to the county where he will be hosted by Governor Lee Kinyanjui.
This comes just five months after the senate approved the elevation of the town.
“We are delighted to inform the people of Nakuru and our well-wishers that Nakuru Municipality will officially get a city charter on December 1, 2021,” Kinyanjui said in a statement.
Governor Kinyanjui had promised to ensure the County’s status is upgraded in 2018 after he was elected to office in 2017.
“The long and often intriguing journey is finally coming to an end. We thank the President for his continued support for the upgrade of Nakuru,” said Kinyanjui.
He further said that the elevation will open the county to more opportunities.
“This is a dream that has been realized. I now roll up my sleeves to make Nakuru the best city in Kenya. We have various projects that will restore the glory of Nakuru,” he said.
He also rubbished claims that the elevation will lead to high taxes, land rates and rent. The governor said that his administration will ensure decisions are made based on the residents’ needs and there will be regular public participation.
The elevation however comes with goodies as residents are expected to enjoy better recreational facilities, sufficient water, state-of-the-art stadia, good road networks, better solid waste management systems, among other services.
“The county government is expected to improve the planning of the town, streamline garbage disposal, address the housing challenge, street lighting, roads and infrastructure, traffic jams among other things key to a city,” James Michoma, a physical planning expert said.
The elevation of Nakuru into a city was delayed due to lack of clear guidelines in the Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011.
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