Nakuru county has finally been granted city status, becoming Kenya’s Fourth City after Nairobi, Mombasa and  Kisumu.

The president also launched the revamped Nakuru-Kisumu railway line and affordable housing project.

“Nakuru City will join Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi as cities. With a reputation as East Africa’s cleanest town, all of Kenya looks forward to Nakuru City growing by leaps and bounds,” Mr Kenyatta said in his State of the Nation Address in Nairobi on Tuesday.

According to President Kenyatta, Nakuru is expected to exponentially grow in all sectors following the new city status that will translate into increased standards of living.

Thde journey to grant city status to Nakauru has taken long since they plans were announced, reportedly  due to lack of concrete guidelines. While Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011 provide the procedure on the establishment of various categories of urban areas, their management, and functions; there are no guidelines for elevating municipalities to cities.

In August this year, when Lee Kinyanjui took over as the county’s governor, he formed a technical committee to steer the process.

“I now roll [up my sleeves] to make Nakuru the best city in Kenya and Africa. Already, we have various projects underway that will restore the glory of Nakuru,” Mr Kinyanjui said.

Nakuru, the administrative capital of Rift Valley and one of the fastest-growing urban centres.