Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, August 16, 2024, mingled with residents of Eldoret after the town was conferred city status by President William Ruto on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
During his regular morning jog, Gachagua expressed that he was pleased with the industrious nature of the residents in the city.
“It was exciting this morning interacting with the People of the newest City in Kenya- the City of Eldoret – in Uasin Gishu County as I undertook my healthy walk. The excitement was palpable in the warm hospitable, vibrant industrious residents who were already up and about their hustles. Their zeal and hard work, are an indication that they are ready to build and propel this socio-economic powerhouse to the next level of prosperity,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua signature walk
Gachagua was accompanied by a host of security detail and his fitness instructor during his trademark morning walk as they shielded the elated residents from getting a little too close to the second in command.
This was the second day Gachagua was treading the new city streets and meeting the residents, after engaging in the routine on Thursday morning.
On May 26, 2024, the deputy president walked the streets of Eldoret and interacted with its residents in one of the many walks that have become his signature morning routine.
Eldoret conferred city status
Gachagua had accompanied President William Ruto to Eldoret where he conferred the town city status in a colourful ceremony which saw dignitaries and top government officials troop the town.
“Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred on the head of state under section 7 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, I Kipchirchir William Samoei Ruto, president of Kenya and commander in chief of Kenya’s Defence Forces do hereby ordain, declare and direct that the municipality of Eldoret has been conferred with city status,” Ruto declared amid rapturous applause by the city’s residents.
The event, which brought together athletes who took part and won medals in the just concluded Olympic games in Paris, lightened up the Eldoret as the athletes snaked through the city streets.
In the ceremony, Ruto also awarded the Oder of the Burning Spear to Diamond League champion Vivian Cheruiyot, former Nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny, educationist Paul Boit and former mayor Joseph Lesiew, who are among the city’s notable residents.
Eldoret became the fifth city in Kenya after Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nakuru.
