The Multiagency Committee on the Decongestion of Eldoret City is accelerating efforts to enhance urban standards in the country’s newest city, with measures aimed at reducing traffic congestion, improving public transport, fostering economic diversity and strengthening security through technology.
The committee’s framework integrates climate action and city beautification initiatives such as tree planting, public art, and maintenance of clean infrastructure, aiming to boost environmental sustainability, promote mental well-being, and stimulate local economic growth.
Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr. Eddyson Nyale, who chaired the meeting attended by stakeholders from both national and county governments, urged a collaborative approach to achieve short-term and long-term goals for Eldoret City’s development.
Short-term measures to decongest the city include diverting trucks to the Southern Bypass at Kapseret and the Western Bypass at Maili Tisa to reduce congestion along Uganda Road, a major thoroughfare through the city. Additionally, truck parking along Maili Nne and Kenya Pipeline areas will be banned to ease traffic flow.
The committee also proposed replacing certain roundabouts within the Central Business District (CBD) with traffic lights and zebra crossings to create more space for pedestrians and vehicles. Some streets will be designated one-way, and specific parking spaces will be allocated for boda-boda operators to prevent random stops that impede traffic.
Strong enforcement of traffic rules for all road users, including drivers, passengers, cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, was emphasized, coupled with public sensitization on road safety.
Dr. Nyale encouraged all stakeholders, including the county executive, Eldoret City Board, enforcement and regulatory agencies such as the National Police Service, KeNHA, KURA, EPRA, and KRA, to work together to implement both short-term and long-term decongestion plans and achieve world-class urban standards.
He stressed the need for a strategic master plan to guide these efforts and highlighted the importance of sourcing funding from partners to support capital-intensive projects.
Long-term plans include constructing overpasses from Rupa Mall junction through the CBD to Paul’s Bakery area, as well as dualling and rehabilitating the 21.5-kilometer Moiben-Eldoret Airport-Mlango Road to ease congestion.
In addition to traffic management, the committee proposed measures for the business community, including adherence to uniform building paint schemes, relocation of matatu stages from the CBD, and alternative sites for garages and boda-boda stages.
Other attendees included County Executive Committee Members Sam Kottut (Agriculture), Joseph Lagat (Public Service Management), Janet Kurgat (Health), and Edward Sawe (Lands and Physical Planning), Eldoret City Board Chairperson Alice Kositanyi, Eldoret City Manager Elzeba Busienei, County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi, County Criminal Investigations Officer Daniel Muleli, and other senior government officials.
The committee emphasized that an integrated approach combining traffic management, environmental initiatives, and enforcement will be essential in transforming Eldoret City into a modern, sustainable, and economically vibrant urban center.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
