By Robert Mutasi 
Eldoret City is embracing digital technology in the management of its rapidly growing urban environment through the introduction of a digital street addressing system.
The initiative is expected to transform how residents, businesses, emergency teams and government agencies identify and access buildings, streets and other properties across the city.
Eldoret City Manager Elzeba Busienei on Friday monitored the ongoing rollout of the programme, describing the exercise as part of the city’s broader plan to develop a modern and technology-driven urban centre.
“Our interest has been to make this City a smart urban with clear and efficient logistical and positioning systems,” Busienei said.
Under the new system, streets, buildings, businesses and other properties will have standardised digital locations that can be easily identified. The move is expected to eliminate some of the difficulties residents and service providers face when trying to locate specific premises.
The technology will have applications in several areas of urban management. Emergency responders, for instance, will be able to use accurate location information to reach buildings more efficiently during incidents.
Delivery companies and other businesses that depend on precise locations are also expected to benefit from the system, while government agencies will be able to use the information in planning and service delivery.
The addressing system incorporates QR codes placed on buildings. The codes are linked to geographical coordinates, giving individual properties a digital location that can be accessed through positioning technology.
Busienei said the system would improve coordination and communication by providing accurate information about the location of buildings and other facilities.
The availability of reliable location data is also expected to assist the city administration in making informed decisions on infrastructure, development and allocation of services.
As Eldoret continues to expand, authorities increasingly require accurate information on the city’s buildings, businesses and properties to guide planning.
The digital addressing project is expected to provide such information while supporting efforts to improve property management and urban development.
Revenue administration is another area expected to benefit from the initiative. Mapping businesses and properties more accurately could give the city administration a clearer picture of enterprises operating within different areas and strengthen revenue mapping.
The system could also make it easier for various government departments and other institutions to coordinate their activities by relying on a common and accurate location database.
Busienei said the digital addressing exercise formed part of the city’s wider efforts to incorporate technology into urban management.
Eldoret’s continued growth as a major commercial and urban centre in the North Rift has increased the demand for efficient systems capable of managing its expanding population and physical infrastructure.
The new technology is therefore intended to do more than simply provide names or numbers for streets. It will create a digital network of location information that can be used across different aspects of city administration.
Meanwhile, Busienei has called on landlords and property owners to improve the appearance of their premises by painting their buildings.
She said the city administration had provided a waiver on painting requirements, which will remain in effect until November.
Property owners have been encouraged to take advantage of the waiver period to paint and improve their buildings, contributing to the overall appearance and cleanliness of the city.
The digital addressing programme and the push to improve buildings are part of the wider transformation taking place in Eldoret.
For residents, the new system could make it easier to locate homes, businesses and public facilities, while improving access to deliveries and emergency services.
For the city administration, it is expected to provide valuable data for planning, revenue mapping and management of the rapidly expanding urban area.
The programme consequently represents a significant step in Eldoret’s efforts to build a more connected, efficient and technology-led city capable of meeting the demands of its growing population.
Eldoret Leo