Unanswered questions over elevation of Nakuru to city status : The Standard

Investors and professional bodies have raised questions on how elevation of Nakuru to city status would impact their businesses. During a stakeholders' meeting at the old municipality chamber, it emerged that the county government had not given sufficient information on how the elevation would affect businesses. The meeting was convened by the ad hoc committee on elevation of Nakuru Municipality to city status. The meeting attended by investors, representatives of professional bodies and trade unions focused on how best the county government was prepared in terms of putting up proper infrastructure to handle issues like congestion within the Nakuru Central Business District, waste management, water, sanitation and security.

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The Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Nakuru chapter, led by Peris Mbuthia, called on the Governor Lee Kinyanjui's administration to conduct cost-benefit analysis of the upgrade on the business community in the county. “This analysis will show how effective the current county revenue collection and expenditure are and whether it is sufficient to sustain Nakuru in the proposed status as a city,” said Mbuthia. Vanessa Evans, the Managing Director for Rongai Workshop, noted that attaining a city status would have serious implications on investors, especially on the cost of labour for those doing business in the municipality. The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Nakuru Business Association raised its concerns on challenges facing Nakuru residents, including water provision, congestion, security, waste management and infrastructure. The Municipal Board chair John Kitilit was optimistic, and assured that the county would do its part. “Some of the challenges will be easily addressed once the city status is achieved. The town will be able to receive more funds from the national government,” he said.

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InvestorsNakuru MunicipalityCityChamber of Commerce