Municipal Council of Eldoret

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Background Information

Eldoret Town Hall

Eldoret is located about 300km North West of Nairobi on the Trans � African Highway and 65km north of the Equator. Currently, it is the fifth largest town in Kenya. Being the administrative centre of Eldoret West, East and Wareng (formally Uasin Gishu) District, it is a major business hub in Western Kenya and particularly the North � Rift Valley region.

�The elevation of Eldoret varies from 2100 meters above sea level to 2700 meters, with an average temperature of 27 degrees centigrade and rainfall of 1,124mm per annum..

At the start of the colonial era, Eldoret was occupied by the indigenous pastoral African communities, namely the Sirikwa and Maasai. These two communities were ousted by the Nandi. Towards the end of the 19^th century after a major battle which took place at Kipkaren � the Nandi word for the place of spears.

The official town site of Eldoret started in 1910 with a post office on what was known to the white settlers as� 64. This was because at that time, it was 64 km from the newly built Uganda Railway railhead at Kibigori. The post office was later developed to include market office serving the community in the area.

In 1912, 64 was declared a township having an area of 11.2 square km (1121ha). When the Governor of Kenya decided to establish an administrative centre, the Post Office was renamed Eldoret in 1912.

The name Eldoret comes from a Maasai word eldore meaning stony river. The stony river referred to here the Sosiani River which passes through the town which has a stony bed. The white settlers decided to call it Eldoret to make pronunciation easier.

Nairobi Uganda Railway

The town developed slowly until 1924 when the Kenya- Uganda Railways extension from Kibigori towards Uganda reached Eldoret � starting a new era of prosperity and growth. In 1928, a piped water supply from the Sosiani River was installed. By 1933, Eldoret had an electricity generator plant, a small airport and low � rental housing.

�In 1956, the current Town Hall was built, in 1958, Eldoret was elevated to Municipal Council status, with Mr. JEW Beard being elected the first Mayor in 1959. Thereafter, the town was presented with its Charted and Mace by the Governor of Kenya. And in 1963, when Kenya gained independence, Eldoret was one of the first towns to elect an Africa Mayor, Councillor� A. N� Oloo.

Eldoret Municipality, which straddles three constituencies � Eldoret North, Eldoret, East, and Eldoret South � is serviced by the Nairobi � Uganda Highways, the Kenya � Uganda Railway and the Eldoret International Airport. It is the most important industrial and commercial centre in the North Rift Valley.

Nairobi Uganda Highway

The main economic activities include agriculture (in particular maize & wheat) and horticulture (flowers, french�� beans, snow peas, and passion fruit). The town is also home to heavy industries like textiles, food processing, steel mills, timber paper manufacturing. In addition, Eldoret has numerous light and major industries and vibrant, fast growing activities such as banking, telecommunication and hospitality.

�Eldoret become a major education hub boasting of� Moi University, Moi Teaching & Referral Hospital (Kenya�s second medical school), Eldoret Polytechnic and several tertiary and middle level colleges.

Cental Business District

The town is the hometown of legendary Kenya runners including renowned Kipchoge Keino, also hosts the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) High Altitude Training Centre. The camp is an ideal training ground for local and international athletes, who have contributed significantly to the economy of the town through investments.

�The Municipality of Eldoret measures about 147 square km, is made up of 14 Wards and has a population estimated at 500,000 (300,000CBS: 1999 Census) with the majority� concentrated in Huruma, Kamukunji, Langas, Kapsoya &� Munyaka� estates. The Council is currently governed by fourteen (14) elected Councillors, four (4) nominated Councillors and one (1) public officer appointed by the Government of Kenya.