Eldoret town is set to become Kenya's fifth city ahead of its elevation on August 8.

President William Ruto will preside over the ceremony that will see the town's status change.

State House and Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said the county will host week-long activities prior to the official ceremony to welcome the city status.

"Pursuant to attaining statutory conditions as set out in the Urban Areas and Cities Act, the Municipality of Eldoret had received a certificate of approval from the Senate," said State House statement signed by Arthur Osiya on behalf of the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei. 

“In this regard the President will grace the installation ceremony, execute and hand over the instruments of city conferment to Uasin Gishu Governor in Eldoret on Thursday August 8, 2024 at 10am."

Section 7 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act says the President may on the resolution of Senate confer the status of a city on a municipality that meets the criteria set out in Section 5, by grant of a charter in the prescribed form.

“We are very excited with the big news of Eldoret finally being awarded city status. We welcome the President to the new city for the ceremony," Bii said.

He said the elevation will signal a new era for Eldoret and open new investments.

Eldoret has a population of about one million people and hosts some of Kenya’s key institutions.

The process of approval for conferment of city status started three years ago with the formation of an adhoc committee chaired by Willy Kenei.

Kenei who is also the region's chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry said more than 95 per cent of residents approved the elevation.

The committee's report was also approved by the county assembly, before it was taken to the Senate.

The Senate's approval ushered the final state which is the grant of the charter by the President.

“We are happy about this elevation as the business community and we will work with the county to ensure the city's," said Kenei.