By ANNETE WANJIRU

The County Government of Nakuru hosted over 200 residents drawn from various sectors of the community for the inception meeting of the Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan 2025-2045 (ISUDP) for Gilgil Municipality.

The consultative forum provided a platform for residents to articulate their challenges, priorities, and aspirations, while also appreciating H.E. Governor Susan Kihika’s elevation of Gilgil to Municipal status.

Residents observed that since its conferment as a Municipality, Gilgil now stands to reap the dividends of urbanization. Through the ISUDP, the County Government will promote improved urban mobility, develop a comprehensive physical land use framework, enhance environmental conservation, and strengthen the management of natural resources.

Speaking during the meeting, Nakuru County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura noted that the Plan will not only unlock Gilgil’s economic potential but also stimulate its competiticeness in tourism, conducive environment for investment offering employment and source of livelihoods for youths and residents in the area.

Reinforcing these remarks, Municipal Manager Joseph Njeru revealed that the Municipality is set to receive over Ksh 40 million, which will be equitably disbursed across the three wards under the Municipality to support priority development projects.

Head of Physical Planning Principal Planner Justine Mayaka and the technical team outlined the ISUDP preparation process, emphasizing that the Plan will be anchored on meaningful public participation and community preferences, in line with the Constitution of Kenya and the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

The ISUDP marks a defining step in shaping Gilgil into a well-planned, inclusive, and economically vibrant Municipality.