President William Ruto has announced plans to elevate Homa Bay Town to city status, signaling potential growth for the lakeside town. Speaking on Thursday during his visit to Homa Bay, where he received an enthusiastic welcome from residents, President Ruto expressed his intention to transform the town into one of Kenya’s cities. Currently, Kenya has five cities: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
While President Ruto did not provide a specific timeline for the elevation, he emphasized his administration's commitment to seeing it through. "We are planning to make Homa Bay a city, and I will ensure it is done," he assured.
What It Takes to Achieve City Status
For a town to attain city status in Kenya, approval from the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is required. According to the Urban Areas and Cities (Amendment) Act, 2019, a town must have a population of at least 250,000 residents, based on the most recent gazetted population census results, to qualify for city classification.
Additionally, the town must demonstrate the capacity to effectively deliver essential services to its residents and engage them in local governance. Proper infrastructure, such as roads, street lighting, and markets, is also crucial, along with robust disaster management strategies and an effective waste disposal system.
Currently, Homa Bay Town does not meet all these criteria. However, with the government's plans for development projects, the town could meet the necessary qualifications in the near future. Governor Gladys Wanga, who hosted President Ruto, has previously stated her goal of making Homa Bay a city within the next decade. She hopes to be remembered as the county leader who transformed Homa Bay's fortunes.
President Ruto's Development Agenda for Homa Bay
During his visit, President Ruto reiterated his administration's commitment to boosting key economic sectors in Homa Bay, including electricity, water supply, road infrastructure, trade, and the completion of the Raila Odinga Stadium.
He also inspected the ongoing construction of the Homa Bay Fish Market, which will accommodate at least 400 fish traders upon completion. "I will be back in December to open this fish market. Electricity will be connected to ensure fishermen can conduct their business with ease," President Ruto stated.