By Robert Mutasi 
Residents of Eldoret and surrounding trading centres are set to witness major urban transformation after Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii unveiled plans to elevate six key townships into fully recognized towns, a move expected to unlock development, attract investors, and improve service delivery across the county.
Through a Gazette Notice dated May 22, Governor Bii appointed Ad hoc Committees to assess whether Kesses-Cheboiywo, Turbo, Moiben, Ziwa, Burnt Forest, and Moi’s Bridge meet the legal threshold for conferment of town status under Kenya’s Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011.
The committees, which officially began work on April 20, are expected to complete the review process within four months before submitting recommendations on the suitability of the six fast-growing centres.
The move is being viewed as one of the county’s most ambitious urban planning strategies since Eldoret was elevated to city status.
Local leaders and business owners believe the transition could spark rapid economic growth, modern infrastructure development, and create employment opportunities for thousands of young people.
In the Gazette Notice, Governor Bii cited constitutional provisions and the Urban Areas and Cities Act as the legal basis for the exercise.“Pursuant to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of Kenya and section 8 (3) (a) of The Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, I, Jonathan Bii Chelilim, Governor of Uasin Gishu County, appoint members of the Ad hoc Committee on conferment to town status for a period of four months,” the notice stated.
Among the areas attracting public attention is Turbo, which hosts Sugoi village, the rural home area associated with President William Ruto.
Residents there have welcomed the planned elevation, saying it could lead to improved roads, better drainage systems, expanded markets, and enhanced healthcare and education services.
Urban planning experts argue that the elevation of the six centres will enable structured physical planning and reduce the pressure currently facing Eldoret City due to increasing population growth and rural-urban migration.
Each township has been assigned a seven-member committee composed of professionals from different sectors, bringing the total number of appointed reviewers to 42.
The committees include representatives from the Kenya Institute of Planners, the Law Society of Kenya, the Architectural Association of Kenya, the Institute of Surveyors of Kenya, and the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya.
Business community representatives and members from the Association of Urban Areas and Cities have also been included to ensure the process captures both economic and governance perspectives.
Town status often comes with increased national government funding and improved county budget allocations targeting infrastructure such as roads, street lighting, sewerage systems, public transport, and waste management.
For traders in centres like Moi’s Bridge and Burnt Forest, the proposed changes could significantly boost commercial activity by attracting banks, supermarkets, real estate developers, and manufacturing investors.Residents of Ziwa and Moiben also expressed optimism that urban status could help improve water connectivity, electricity access, and security infrastructure that have lagged behind despite rapid population growth.
However, governance experts caution that elevation alone will not automatically solve urban challenges unless accompanied by proper planning, accountability, and sustainable financing.
They argue that county authorities must ensure public participation and prevent unregulated expansion that could result in congestion, informal settlements, and land disputes.
Still, many residents see the initiative as a bold step toward decentralizing development from Eldoret City and spreading economic opportunities across the wider county.
If approved, the six new towns could redefine the urban landscape of Uasin Gishu and cement the county’s position as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing economic hubs in the Rift Valley region.