Wetang’ula pledges to deliver on promise to make Bungoma attain city status
By Luke Oluoch, August 16, 2025National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has promised to push for the elevation of Bungoma town to attain city status.
Speaking during the burial of MCA James Barasa Mukhongo in Kabuchai Chwele on Saturday, August 16, 2025, Wetang’ula affirmed that he is committed to getting the dream realised in his lifetime.
Wetang’ula noted that the town has made necessary strides in the recent past that are in line with attaining the coveted status.
Bungoma town
“If you go to Bungoma town today, it looks different. Since we brought Madaraka celebrations to Bungoma, we now have a passport office, the stadium, streetlights, and many other things. I have told you in my lifetime, Bungoma must become a city in Kenya, and it will be if we continue with this journey together,” he pledged.
Wetang’ula used the function to detail the various infrastructure development projects undertaken by the government of Kenya Kwanza under President William Ruto.
He noted that the region has also reaped massively from key appointments in the government, the elevation of various tertiary institutions in the region, and housing projects courtesy of aligning with the government of the day.
“All these developments of roads and other sectors of housing are happening because we are close to the government, and they will continue to happen,” he stated.
The calls to make Bungoma a city first came to the limelight during the 2024 Madaraka Day celebrations.
During the annual celebration at the newly built Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, President Ruto told residents that he would elevate Bungoma into a city.
Other than Bungoma, President Ruto has also promised city status to Homa Bay, Meru, and Thika Towns, as the government rolls out its urbanisation and infrastructure plans.
Speaking during the launch of the Homa Bay Pier on Friday, May 30, 2025, Ruto announced plans to elevate Homa Bay Town to city status, making it the second city in the Nyanza region after Kisumu.
“People of Homa Bay, when I came here last time, we had an agreement, didn’t we? You said you want Homa Bay to stop being a town and become a city. Isn’t that right?”
“As the starting point for transforming Homa Bay, you told me you first wanted us to build a pier here. This pier will help local residents do business and travel more safely.”Ruto said.