Eldoret: Eldoret City is poised for transformative growth as the County Government of Uasin Gishu partners with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) to strengthen engineering standards, promote sustainable infrastructure, and pave the way for a smart, modern Kenya’s fifth city.

According to Kenya News Agency, drawing inspiration from iconic global cities built around rivers such as London’s River Thames and Beijing’s Yongding River, Eldoret’s own River Sosiani holds untapped potential to become a central cultural and tourist landmark. With strategic planning and sustainable development, Sosiani, which flows through the heart of Eldoret town, serving as a crucial water source for the city and surrounding areas, could be elevated into a major attraction, both locally and internationally.

This initiative aligns with Governor Dr Jonathan Bii’s manifesto under Nguzo Number 6 on Infrastructure Development and Public Works, which emphasises the implementation of sustainable projects to stimulate economic growth across Uasin Gishu. Speaking during a stakeholder engagement session on Monday, Chief Officer for Roads, Transport, and Public Works Geoffrey Tanui welcomed EBK’s collaboration, noting the county’s commitment to enhancing safety, professional development, and quality engineering services through the enforcement of standards.

‘As a county, we are focused on building capacity through training, encouraging globally competitive engineering, and ensuring the inspection of buildings meets professional benchmarks. We aim to shape Eldoret into one of the most beautiful and modern cities in the region, attractive to investors and tourists alike,’ said Tanui.

Engineer Antony Okere, Director of Compliance and Enforcement at EBK, lauded Uasin Gishu for its progress in upholding construction standards, which has helped prevent structural failures and safeguard lives. ‘We envision Eldoret as a smart city with efficient transport systems and innovative infrastructure. The question we should all ask is, ‘What will Eldoret look like 50 years from now?’ said Eng. Okere.

The EBK team will spend the week engaging local engineers, inspecting buildings, and collecting data to inform a comprehensive report. The findings and recommendations will be presented to the county leadership to guide future improvements. Also in attendance at the meeting were Director of Public Works Eng. Benjamin Kirongo, Deputy Director of Roads Eng. Linus Yego, and EBK Senior Engineer Geoffrey Moindi.