The city of Eldoret management is to hire international sculptors to curve outstanding monuments to be mounted at strategic points as part of beautification of the new city of champions.
It plans to carry out public participation before putting up the monuments.
This comes after some poorly done statues of world-beating Kenyan athletes donated by ‘well-wishers’ on the eve of elevation of the town to the country’s fifth city four months ago attracted public outcry.
“We are already engaging sculptors who have done reputable artistic work globally in order to put up monuments that have true reflection of our city,” said Tito Koiyet, Eldoret City manager in an interview.
He said among those listed for the art work have carved finest sculptures in Britain, America, Israel, Canada, South Africa among other countries.
“We will give the job to precise artists who will put up sculptures that showcase the true image of our city,” said Mr Koiyet.
However, he did not disclose the amount they will pump for the sculptures to be fixed in strategic places in the city.
The city of Eldoret management has since admitted liability over the poor workmanship of the statues and monuments that hed been erected at different roundabout in the city.
“What I can admit is that some proper protocols were not undertaken before putting the sponsored monuments on display but I can assure that no money was lost,” explained Mr Koiyet.
According to Mr Koiyet, the city management plans to carry out public participation to determine what should be displayed and at which locations to avoid a repeat of the ‘statues of shame.’
“What is required in public input since they are the ones who will own the project. That is why we shall have public participation and engage globally famed skilled artists,” said Mr Koiyet.
Apart from the statues of the athletes, the sculptures will paint the true picture of Eldoret as an industrial hub of the agriculturally rich North Rift region, the country’s grain basket.
“The monuments will portray the true legacy of Eldoret city,” said Mr Koiyet.
It however a race against time for the city management to meat the remaining benchmarks for city status after it awarded charter to be the country’s newest city.
Among the obligatory conditions is the establishment of a national museum which the management has set up at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) arboretum along Eldoret-Iten highway.
“We have met most of the conditions for city status least for the museum which has since been constructed and operational at the KFS arboretum,” said Tito Koiyet, the Eldoret Municipality manager.
On August 15, President William Ruto presided over the conferment of city status on Eldoret town to join the ranks of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.
Mr Koiyet disclosed that beautification of the city’s Central Business District (CBD) is ongoing as part of the conditions for the city status.
“Installation of street lights is already on and garbage bins have been placed on strategic spots,” explained Mr Koiyet.
“We are opening up and improving existing back lanes and create a walk away along river Sosiani and tree planting along the riparian boundaries,” added Mr Koiyet.
With a population of approximately 500,000 people, Eldoret is a fast growing city that links Kenya to other countries in East and Central African Africa.
According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Eldoret is the fifth most populated urban area in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Ruiru.
According to the Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011, to qualify as a city, an urban area must have a population of at least 250,000 based on the last census.
Other requirements include obligation by building owners to paint premises with a uniform colour not associated with any commercial brand, implementation of traffic management plan/flow within the CBD, relocating Jua Kali traders to designated area and connecting Nandi park with KFS land among others.
“All developers must adhere to by-laws related to design of certain buildings as described in the by-laws. They must engage registered architect and for purpose of structural design and landlords are to ensure proper disposal of garbage from their premises,” Mr Koiyet explained.
Property owners are also required to develop ramps to ease entry into shops by People with Disabilities (PWDs) and install CCTV cameras to boost security and ensure portions of their land is under tree cover.
All external walling in private and public buildings must also adhere to bylaws related to resistance to weather and damp by resisting penetration of rain.
Those who fail to comply risk being charged under section 32 of the Building Code and on conviction are liable to a fine or a six-month jail term.
