Bomet County warns private developers against illegal constructions
Rift Valley
By
Kiprono Kurgat
| Sep 11, 2025
Private developers in Bomet County have been urged to seek approval before constructing any buildings or structures.
During a development control meeting focused on addressing emerging issues in urban areas, the County Executive Committee Member for Urban Development, Joseph Kirui, emphasized the importance of obtaining proper approvals prior to any development activities in towns and growing centers.
"All developments must be approved by the relevant authorities, including the County Government of Bomet, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the National Construction Authority (NCA)," stated Kirui.
"Carrying out any construction or development without the required approvals is illegal and will result in enforcement action. This is a warning to private developers: anyone who attempts to construct anything in Bomet without approval will face severe consequences," he added.
The team also visited Bomet Town Stage to assess the increasing number of illegal structures and unapproved developments.
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Issa Yarrow, Chief Officer for Urban Development, warned individuals constructing structures on road reserves to cease immediately.
“Road reserves are exactly that—road reserves. They are not business premises and must be respected as such,” he said.
Yarrow reminded the public that all revenue payments related to development applications must be made through the official cashless payment system.
Last month, Governor Hillary Barchok gazetted Bomet and Sotik towns as Municipalities.
Barchok stated that the upgrade of these towns aligns with a blueprint plan for the management of devolved units.
"I am fulfilling my promise to the people," said Barchok.
“At this historic moment, I emphasize that the future is urban. By 2050, a significant percentage of the population will be living in cities and urban areas. Therefore, we must be prepared to face future trends. While planning, we will not ignore the urban poor. Urban planning is essential to eliminate slum growth,” Barchok added.
He noted that the new Municipalities will benefit from urban funds from both the World Bank and the Kenyan Government, which will enhance infrastructure development, increase trade, and create jobs.
He expressed that the process was long overdue and that time is of the essence.
"The two municipalities have become autonomous as per the Urban Areas and Cities Act and the spirit of our 2010 Constitution," he stated, emphasizing that decisions affecting residents should be made at the grassroots level by officials closest to the people, after full civic engagement and public participation.
"We have officially gazetted the roles that the municipalities will take over from the county government. We have allocated separate and distinct budgets for the municipalities, seconded staff to them, and starting this year, they will collect their own revenue," Barchok said.
He also proposed the elevation of Mogogosiek, Mulot, and Sigor towns to municipality status in the future.
During the gazettement, Mr. Davis Langat and Mr. Benard Ngeno were appointed as the Municipality Managers for Bomet and Sotik, respectively, taking over from Richard Kirui and Emmy Suiyon, who had been serving in acting capacities.
Also present were the Municipal Managers for Bomet and Sotik, representatives from NEMA, the National Construction Authority (NCA), the Director of Public Works, Physical Planning, Public Health, the Revenue Department, Chief Enforcement, and other key stakeholders.