Eldoret rushes to remove athlete statues ahead of city accreditation

President William Ruto and other government dignitaries, local leaders and athletes will grace the occasion at Eldoret Sports Club grounds.

The president is set to hold a grand reception and breakfast for the Olympic champions at Eldoret State Lodge on Thursday morning.

The Head of State will then lead the athletes and other dignitaries for a grand entry to Sports Club for inauguration of the Eldoret City.

Government officials led by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, PS Julius Bitok and government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura were in the venue until late at night overseeing the last touches.

Statue Fiasco 

In preparation for the conferment ceremony, Uasin Gishu County went on a city beautification spree. Trees were planted along roads, and statues mounted at major points in the city. 

On Wednesday afternoon, 3 statues of athletes, milk fountain, wheat and maize statues were erected at different spots in the city. 

On the Oginga Odinga street, Uasin Gishu County put up the statues to boast of their agricultural and sports heritage. 

Little did they anticipate a night rush to remove the statues that had exposed the new city to ridicule on social media platforms. 

Pictures of the statues went viral on social media, with Kenyans opining that the arts were poorly done. County officials removed the statues at around 9 pm, taking them to an unknown location.