Eldoret Launches Citywide Clean-Up Ahead of Marathon

Elzeba Busienei on Thursday morning officially flagged off a large-scale clean-up exercise in Eldoret, as the city steps up preparations for the upcoming Eldoret City Marathon scheduled for Sunday.

The exercise, launched at the town’s main square, brings together city authorities and key partners in a coordinated effort aimed at restoring cleanliness, improving sanitation, and enhancing the overall urban environment ahead of the high-profile event.

Among the partners supporting the initiative are LifeCare Hospitals, Wilson Lonapa Foundation, and the Kenya National Highways Authority, all of whom are providing logistical and operational support.

Speaking during the launch, Busienei underscored the importance of maintaining a clean city, particularly as Eldoret prepares to host athletes, visitors, and stakeholders from across the country and beyond.

“This clean-up exercise is part of our broader commitment to ensure that Eldoret remains a welcoming, safe, and environmentally sustainable city,” she said while inspecting the initial stages of the operation.

City staff turned out in large numbers, deploying trucks, waste collection equipment, and personnel to various parts of the town. Within hours of the flag-off, teams had spread across designated zones, carrying out waste collection, street sweeping, and drainage clearance.

The City Manager conducted on-site inspections throughout the morning, engaging workers and monitoring progress to ensure efficiency and adherence to the clean-up plan. Partner organisations also remained actively involved, coordinating logistics and reinforcing manpower on the ground.

The exercise quickly began to yield visible results, with cleaner streets, unclogged drainage systems, and revitalised public spaces reported in several parts of the town.

Officials say the initiative not only prepares the town for the marathon but also reinforces the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining urban cleanliness. Residents have also been encouraged to support the effort by adopting proper waste disposal practices.

The Eldoret City Marathon, which has grown into a major sporting event, is expected to attract elite and amateur athletes, further putting the city in the national and international spotlight. Authorities remain optimistic that the clean-up drive will help present Eldoret at its best while promoting a culture of environmental stewardship.