The Eldoret Municipality management is faced with challenges delivering quality services to the residents, six months after it was elevated to city status.
Among the challenges is the generation of adequate Own Source Revenue to empower it to provide services that befit city status and meet the outstanding obligatory conditions after the ‘Home of Champions’ became the country’s fifth city.
The municipality through the county government is expected to possess sufficient resources to oversee the management of the city but it is emerging that the devolved unit is faced with a deficit in Own Source Revenue Generation despite improving its revenue management system.
The devolved unit generated Sh1.4 billion in Own Source Revenue last financial year against a potential of Sh2.8 billion which has impacted negatively in delivery of services.
“We aim to raise Sh2.1 billion next Financial Year after mapping our areas of our sources of revenue. Our analysis indicates that there are 47,800 while only 26,000 have paid their taxes and our target is to collect Sh10 million daily as part of our resource mobilization to enhance our source revenue,” explained Governor Jonathan Bii in a recent interview.
A key movement in the actualisation of the city status is now the Uasin Gishu Public Service Board (PSB) has advertised the position of the Eldoret City Manager as part of the restructuring process.
“The city is strategically placed in terms of road and rail network, and airport services and it is our responsibility to ensure that there is adequate land, power, and steady water supply to woo local and international investors to set up businesses in the new city,” said Eldoret Municipality Manager Tito Koiyet in an interview.
President Ruto, on August 15, awarded city status to Eldoret Town to join the ranks of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
However, the city residents have expressed concerns over the operationalization of the national museum which the municipality management put up at the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) arboretum as part of obligatory conditions for the city status.
Eldoret City: Ruto awards city charter and seal
“We fail to understand why the museum has remained closed since it was constructed. It was meant to benefit the residents as part of the conditions for city status,” said James Kemboi, a city resident.
Solid waste management and water pollution are another challenge in the famous ‘City of Champions’, dashing hopes by the residents to gain from the much-hyped conferment to city status six months ago.
President William Ruto while awarding the city charter to Eldoret town in August last year asked the management to be ready for challenges in the delivery of services.
“As the city of champions, Eldoret must focus on the greater opportunities and significant challenges ahead because it takes what it has to emerge as the ultimate city of the future,” said the head of the state during the award of the charter at the Eldoret Sports Club on August 15, 2024.
The National Environment Management Authority (Nema) has consequently expressed concern over the illegal disposal of solid waste by the county government in Kipkaren estate on the outskirts of Eldoret city.
The devolved unit now risks a penalty of between Sh2 million and Sh4 million for ignoring an order restricting them from the ongoing illegal disposal of solid waste at the abandoned burrow pit close to the residential estate.
“You have chosen to ignore the restoration order and continue with the illegal disposal of solid waste. Stop further illegal disposal of solid waste at the undesignated site and fence to avoid further dumping. Undertake removal of all waste at the site,” stated Solomon Kihiu, County Director of Environment in a letter to the County Secretary, County Government of Uasin Gishu.
The residents of Kipkaren, Langas, and Huruma among other estates have expressed concerns over health hazards due to poor disposal of garbage and heavy pollution of the nearby Sosiani River that cuts across Eldoret city.
“We are at the risk of contracting such diseases like cholera, diarrhea, or whooping cough due to improper waste disposal management,” said Daniel Kiptoo from Kipkaren estate.
Governor Bii’s administration is struggling with the challenge of garbage collection despite relocating to the new site in the Kipkenyo area.
“Lack of licensed dumpsites, improper transportation, and disposal of garbage and burning of the wastes in residential areas are some of the challenges despite the elevation of the town to city status,” said Daniel Kiptoo, a resident of Kipkaren estate.
The Water service provider, Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) has already increased water tariffs by 300 per cent meaning the residents will now pay three times more than the previous rates.
A section of city residents have moved to court to challenge the increased water tariffs amid claims of poor delivery of services.
Some of the rubbish bins fixed in strategic spots have been vandalized while trees and flowers planted within the Central Business District (CBD) and along the highways are ongoing as part of the conditions for beautification of the city have either been uprooted or unkempt.
“We expect the devolved unit to deliver services befitting city status but, unfortunately, even street lights in parts of the city and residential areas are not functional exposing the residents to criminal activities,” said Marcy Jeptoo, another city resident.
But in what is viewed as enhancing the delivery of services, Governor Bii recently made major changes in his cabinet, sending close allies on compulsory leave.
Among those who have been sent on one-month compulsory leave include County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development Dr Janet Chemeli Kosgei and Chief of Staff Nicholas Chepkwony in the changes aimed at enhancing service delivery.
Seven Chief Officers (COs) have been forced to take obligatory leave in the changes that saw Micah Kipkosgei Rogony appointed acting CECM for Devolution and Administration.
Other appointees include Johnstone Kottut (Economic advisor) and Director of Corporate Affairs University of Kabinga Dr Pius Kiplimo Chumba Corporate Affairs (Chief of Staff).
Governor Bii has further moved Dr Kotut Sam Kogo from Water to the Agriculture department, while Elijah Kosgey moved from Public Service Management to Education, Edward Sawe from Agriculture to Lands, and Anthony Sitienei from Education to Water.
The former Economic advisor Philip Melly has been appointed County Secretary awaiting vetting by the county assembly.
The changes come amid protests by the residents over poor delivery of services, six months after the elevation of Eldoret to city status.
