Ruto Hints at Making Meru Kenya’s Next City

President William Ruto has introduced his intention to make Meru city Kenya’s fifth metropolis after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru.

The Head of State, whereas addressing a roadside rally at Makutano Junction, Meru city, on Saturday afternoon, mentioned he was able to elevate the municipality to metropolis standing as a consequence of its speedy development.

In his speech, the President revealed the federal government’s plan to disburse Ksh2 billion for the development of 16 further fashionable markets to spice up commerce.

“The governor has mentioned he needs Meru to turn out to be Kenya’s subsequent metropolis. Do you need Meru to turn out to be the following metropolis? So, do you suppose I didn’t know that? I already had that concept in thoughts,” Ruto mentioned.

During the rally, Ruto additionally ordered Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa to make sure the county’s sewer system was rectified by December this yr.

He famous the market and sewer initiatives have been a part of the broader plan to reinforce Meru’s capacity to draw funding and spur additional growth within the area.

Ruto’s promise follows a request by Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, who known as on the president to think about making the populous area a metropolis as an appreciation of the city’s development.

Mutuma, in his request to the Head of State, revealed that a number of growth initiatives had already been accomplished and that elevating Meru to metropolis standing can be an added benefit.

“Our huge drawback, which was the sewer system in Meru, will likely be accomplished in order that the following metropolis in Kenya turns into Meru. We need the following metropolis to be clear as soon as the sewer system has been rectified,” Mutuma instructed the President.

Meanwhile, Ruto’s plan to make Meru the following metropolis comes 4 years after the federal government made Nakuru a metropolis following a vote by the Senate to raise it from municipality.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, in November 2021, formally awarded a metropolis constitution to Nakuru, making it Kenya’s fourth metropolis. It was made a metropolis primarily due to its inhabitants development and financial growth. 

For a city to turn out to be a metropolis, it will need to have a inhabitants of a minimum of 250,000 residents, have a metropolis growth plan and show its capacity to generate income to maintain its operations.