Plans to elevate Nakuru Municipality to a City are on top gear.
Today, Speaker Hon. Joel Maina Kairu with the Honourable Members from the Lands, Housing and Physical Planning Committee hosted the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations who were on a fact-finding mission on the elevation of Nakuru Municipality to City Status.
The Assembly’s Committee presented their views to the Senate during the during a Stakeholders Consultative meeting attended by Members of Nakuru County Executive led by Njoroge Gichuhi and County CECM for Lands Francis Mwangi among others.
The Honourable Members said the Municipality had met all requirements which are needed for its elevation.
The Honourable Members cited benefits of the elevation including the creation of employment, improved infrastructure, strong economic block in all sectors including hospitality, agriculture among others.
The elevation will also attract more funding from both the National government and Developmental Grants.
Hon. Kairu told the Committee that the County has done everything to ensure the dream is realized and urged the Senate to expedite its elevation.
The Senate Committee chaired by Hon. John Kinyua, Senator Laikipia County recorded the views before touring several projects including Gioto dumpsite, the Lanet Airstrip, Nakuru Level Five Hospital among others before holding a Public Consultative meeting at Old Town Hall, Nakuru town.
November 6, the 78-Member Assembly made a milestone passing the Motion for the Municipality to be upgraded to a City.
Last year, President Uhuru Kenyatta assented to the Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Bill 2017, which paved way for an additional two cities; Nakuru and Eldoret.
In December, Governor Lee Kinyanjui also signed the charter for the establishment of Nakuru and Naivasha municipalities, a key requirement to buttress the city status.
Nakuru is the fourth-largest town after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu with over a million people.
