By Robert Mutasi 
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim says Eldoret City is steadily turning into an active construction site courtesy of strong collaboration between the National and County Governments.
Speaking after joining President William Samoei Ruto during an inspection tour of development projects in Eldoret City on Wednesday evening, Governor Bii said the city’s face is changing rapidly with major infrastructure projects taking shape across the town.
“Eldoret City is steadily becoming an active construction site, thanks to the strong collaboration between the National and County Governments, with more than 10,000 iconic affordable housing units taking shape across Pioneer, AMS, Eldoret City Railway, and Kidiwa Phases I and II,” said Governor Bii.
The Governor said the affordable housing program is not only providing decent and dignified housing for residents but is also creating thousands of jobs for youth and boosting the local economy through supply of building materials and services.
“This progress is further complemented by the construction and upgrading of 12 modern markets, including the ultra-modern market at the heart of our city, which is set to be commissioned by the end of this year,” he added.
According to Bii, the 12 markets are strategically located across the county to provide traders, especially mama mboga and small-scale business people, with clean, safe and dignified spaces to do business, away from mud and congestion.
He singled out the ultra-modern market at the heart of Eldoret City as a game-changer for the region’s trade, noting that once commissioned by the end of this year, it will accommodate thousands of traders and enhance revenue collection.
On sports, the Governor noted that the ongoing construction of the Kipchoge Keino Stadium is reshaping the city’s sporting landscape and positioning Eldoret as a hub for national and international events.
“The ongoing construction of the Kipchoge Keino Stadium is also reshaping our city’s sporting landscape, with the facility set to host the historic Mashujaa Day Celebrations this year,” Bii said.
The stadium, named after Kenya’s legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino, has been under construction for years and its completion is highly anticipated by residents of the North Rift who consider Eldoret the City of Champions.
Governor Bii said hosting Mashujaa Day at the facility will be historic, given that it will be the first time Eldoret City hosts a national celebration since its elevation to city status.
“This evening, I joined President William Samoei Ruto during the inspection of the ultra-modern market and later addressed wananchi in Eldoret City,” he said.
He thanked President Ruto for his continued support to Uasin Gishu County and assured residents that his administration will continue working closely with the national government to deliver transformative projects.
Residents who turned up to listen to the President and the Governor expressed optimism that the projects will change the economic fortunes of the city and cement Eldoret’s status as the fifth city in Kenya.