By Wasike Elvis 

Eldoret is accelerating its transformation into a modern smart city, with the administration rolling out initiatives targeting digital addressing, improved streets, waste management, beautification, infrastructure and better service delivery.

The plans were outlined during a media engagement in Eldoret by City Manager Elzeba Busienei and City Board Chairperson Alice Kositany, who said the city’s elevation to city status marked the beginning of a broader journey towards building an organised, technology-driven and investment-friendly urban centre.

Eldoret was conferred city status on August 15, 2024, before it was formally chartered on June 18, 2025.

Busienei said the city had now moved beyond celebrating its new status and was focused on putting in place systems and structures capable of supporting its rapidly growing population and economy.

“The conferment and chartering of Eldoret as a city was only the beginning. The bigger task is to operationalise the city and establish systems that can support its growth and development,” Busienei said.

An 11-member City Board was constituted in February 2026 to oversee the affairs of Eldoret, working alongside the city management and other stakeholders.

Busienei said the city has also brought together staff from the county government and recruited additional personnel to strengthen its operations, while work is ongoing to develop policies and bylaws covering the 21 functions assigned to cities under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

Digital addressing takes shape

One of the most notable initiatives is the introduction of a digital addressing system using QR codes.

The pilot programme is currently being implemented along Kenyatta Street, where buildings are being assigned numbers and linked to digital information through the city's Geographic Information System (GIS).

Busienei said the system would make it easier for residents, visitors and investors to locate buildings and businesses.

“If you are coming to Eldoret and you are looking for a particular building or office, you will be able to use Google Maps or scan the QR code and get information about the location and the offices operating within that building,” she explained.

She said the system is being developed as an end-to-end digital platform that could eventually support other city functions, including revenue collection and revenue management.

“It is not just about navigation. We want to have an end-to-end system where we can also integrate other city services, including revenue management,” Busienei said.

The pilot is expected to be expanded to other parts of the Central Business District before being rolled out to areas outside the CBD, including Elgon View, Pioneer, Kimumu and Annex.

The wider objective is to map buildings across the city and give them identifiable digital addresses.

Streets set for transformation

The city has also embarked on a programme to improve the appearance and functionality of its streets under the Kenya Urban Support Programme managed by the State Department for Urban and Housing Development.

The works include paving streets and shop frontages, installing street furniture, improving public spaces and creating greener areas.

Busienei said the project was not simply about paving roads but about creating a more attractive and functional urban environment.

“We are not only looking at paving. We are looking at the entire urban environment, including service ducts, public spaces, street furniture and green spaces where people can sit and enjoy the city,” she said.

The city is also planting trees and flowers and developing green corridors along selected streets as part of its climate sustainability agenda.

New approach to waste management

Waste management has also been identified as a major priority in the city's transformation programme.

Busienei said the administration was working towards introducing modern litter bins that would allow residents to separate organic and non-organic waste.

“We want to move towards waste segregation so that organic and non-organic waste are not dumped together,” she said.

The city also plans to introduce skip containers as part of its waste collection system, allowing waste to be transferred to designated collection points before being transported for final disposal.

Busienei said effective waste management must go beyond simply collecting garbage.

“Waste management is not just about collecting litter. It is about creating a clean and attractive environment and ensuring that the whole chain, from collection to disposal, works effectively,” she said.

Eldoret positioning itself as an investment hub

The city management is also positioning Eldoret as a major investment and economic hub.

Eldoret's economy is anchored on agriculture, education, healthcare, sports, trade and logistics, with major institutions including Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, University of Eldoret, Moi University, Eldoret National Polytechnic and Rift Valley Technical Training Institute.

Busienei said the city's diverse economic base and strategic location provided a strong foundation for investment.

“Eldoret is an agricultural, education, sports, medical and logistics hub. We have many opportunities that can attract investors from within Kenya and beyond,” she said.

The city's location along major transport routes, coupled with Eldoret International Airport, gives it a strategic position for trade and logistics connecting different parts of Kenya with East and Central Africa.

Sports remain central to Eldoret's identity

Sports are also being incorporated into the city's development agenda, with authorities highlighting ongoing developments around facilities including the 64 Stadium and Kipchoge Stadium.

Kipchoge Stadium is expected to host the upcoming Mashujaa Day celebrations, placing Eldoret in the national spotlight.

City Board Chairperson Alice Kositany said the city's transformation should, however, be viewed as a long-term undertaking rather than a temporary programme linked to the national celebrations.

“Eldoret is now a city, and we must think beyond one event. Mashujaa Day gives us an opportunity to showcase what we have, but the development of the city must continue long after the celebrations,” Kositany said.

She said the city board would continue working with the city administration and other stakeholders to ensure that Eldoret's development agenda translates into tangible benefits for residents and businesses.

“We want to see a city that is organised, clean, accessible and attractive to investors, while also providing quality services to its residents,” Kositany said.

A city beyond Mashujaa Day

The city administration has maintained that the ongoing projects are part of a broader development agenda and are not being implemented solely because Eldoret is preparing to host Mashujaa Day.

Busienei said the national celebrations have provided an opportunity to showcase Eldoret but would not determine the city's long-term priorities.

“The work we are doing is not just for Mashujaa Day. These are programmes that are part of the city's long-term development agenda and will continue beyond the celebrations,” she said.

With digital addressing, improved streets, greener public spaces, modern waste management and new urban policies, Eldoret is laying the groundwork for a more organised and technology-driven city.

The city administration says continued cooperation between residents, businesses, the county and national governments, development partners and other stakeholders will be critical in turning the smart-city vision into reality.