CEC Lagat Says Eldoret Can Match Minneapolis—But Must Tackle Tough Issues First

 

 

Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Health, Joseph Lagat, has called for a bold and honest conversation about the economic future of Eldoret City—drawing a sharp comparison between Eldoret and its sister city, Minneapolis, USA.

Speaking during a development stakeholders' forum held in Eldoret on Thursday, CEC Lagat highlighted the vast socio-economic divide between the two cities, using budget figures to illustrate the stark contrasts.

“Minneapolis, with a population of 428,000, operates on a budget of Kshs. 250 billion annually. Compare that to our entire Uasin Gishu County—1.2 million people—with a budget of just Kshs. 11 billion. Even Nairobi, with over 5.4 million people, only has a budget of Kshs. 45 billion,” Lagat said.

According to the health CEC, the differences speak to more than just money—they reflect the long-term structural, historical, and institutional investments made by cities like Minneapolis over decades.

“America began investing heavily in infrastructure, health, education, and governance systems more than a century ago. Minneapolis is not an overnight success. It took them generations of deliberate planning, community investment, and strong institutions,” he explained.

However, Lagat believes that Eldoret can retrace that path—with determination and clear priorities.

“Eldoret doesn’t need to imitate Minneapolis. We need to understand what worked for them and tailor it to our context. We are a university town, a breadbasket region, and home to world-class athletes. That is a strong foundation to build from,” he said.

He outlined five key steps Eldoret must take to catch up economically: strengthen local institutions, invest in public health and education, expand local revenue collection, foster international partnerships, and empower youth with skills and capital.

But he also warned that significant obstacles remain.

“We have to be honest with ourselves. There are issues—corruption, weak enforcement of policy, underinvestment in infrastructure, and poor planning. We cannot move forward unless we deal with these head-on,” he emphasized.

As Health CEC, Lagat also stressed the role of healthcare in economic development, noting that no city can thrive without a healthy population.

“Our health systems need to be preventive, not reactive. A healthy, educated population is the engine of any strong economy,” he added.

The sister-city relationship between Eldoret and Minneapolis was established to foster knowledge exchange and cooperation. Lagat is now urging that the partnership be deepened into practical programs involving business, urban planning, and youth mentorship.

“We are not too far behind. We are just at a different point on the journey. But we must stop talking and start acting,” he concluded.

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