Nakuru becomes Kenya's fourth city

Nakuru has become Kenya's fourth city, after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday officially conferred city status to Nakuru Municipality.

Uhuru led a host of government officials as he signed the citation as the flag of Nakuru at Nyayo Gardens.

Orange Democratic Movement ( ODM)Party leader Raila Odinga and Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka were among the attendees.

Nakuru was first endorsed for city status on June 3, 2018.

Thereafter on June 3, 2021, 38 senators voted an application from Nakuru residents to have the city's status elevated, whereas two opposed.

Speaking at the launch event on Wednesday, President Kenyatta emphasized that Nakuru has passed all legal criteria and it was appropriate that the town be upgraded to a city.  

“In exercise of the powers conferred on the Head of State and government under section 7 of the Urban areas and cities Act and all other enabling provisions of law, I Uhuru Kenyatta President of the Republic in Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces do hereby confer city status to the Nakuru municipality,”  

Nakuru will now enjoy all the powers, rank, and privileges that come with city status.

“Now henceforth may it be known by all persons and the authorities that the Nakuru municipality is to be known as the city of Nakuru. The City of Nakuru shall therefore have all the rights, duties and standing of a city provided under the Urban areas and Cities acts and all other applicable laws,” he said.