For several months now, the county government of Uasin Gishu has been demolishing structures believed to have been built illegally within the Eldoret town Central Business District (CBD).
The move has attracted criticism from some traders with claims that they were been unfairly targeted.
However, it is now emerging that the demolitions are part of the ongoing efforts to enable Eldoret town to attain the city status.
"Eldoret town is headed to attaining city status in the near future. For this to come to reality, we have certain conditions that need to be met like making sure that all our buildings in the town follow fiscal plans. Our streets should also be visible,” county’s Trade Executive Dr Emily Kogos told the press on Monday.
Dr Kogos further defended the demolitions saying they were being done within the law.
She pointed out that the exercise also seeks to attract more investors into the town that in an economic hub for the North Rift region.
"I want to assure residents of Uasin Gishu and Kenya as a whole that following the demolitions, potential investors seeking to do business in the county will stream here in droves because we are putting everything in line by demolishing old buildings that are built on public land because we need to have a clean and proper town that meets city status," said the County Executive.
Eldoret and Nakuru towns are poised to become cities against the underlying factors involving the provision of clean water, urban space, health services and security to the increasing population.
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