This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
On November 8, 2019, the Nakuru County Assembly made history by unanimously adopting a report recommending the elevation of Nakuru municipality to a city.
The move is a major milestone in the quest for city status, which will now be forwarded to President Uhuru Kenyatta for his endorsement.
Once the President gives his nod, the proposal will be sent to the Senate for debate and approval.
According to the Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011 and its Amendment Act of 2019, a municipality must meet certain criteria to be elevated to city status, including a population of at least 250,000, an integrated urban development plan, and the capacity to generate sufficient revenue and deliver essential services.
The ad hoc committee report tabled in the House satisfied that Nakuru has met these minimum criteria, paving the way for its elevation.
However, not everyone is in support of the proposal. Some local MPs, including David Gikaria, Kimani Ngunjiri, and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, have expressed concerns about the rush to elevate the municipality, suggesting a deferment for a period of 10 years.
Other groups, such as the Nakuru Business Association, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Matatu Owners Association, and Nakuru Informal Traders, have also raised concerns about the potential rising costs of factors of production.
