Hundreds of Eldoret City residents gathered along major roads yesterday to observe the newly installed traffic lights in operation, marking a historic moment for the city, recently elevated to city status. Residents of Eldoret City came out in large numbers to watch the traffic lights in operation for the first time since the town was upgraded to city status.
The spectacle, which drew curious onlookers and sparked lively discussions on social media, highlighted both excitement and unfamiliarity with the modern traffic management system.
The traffic lights, installed at key junctions along Uganda Highway and other arterial roads, are part of Uasin Gishu County’s infrastructure upgrade following Eldoret’s designation as Kenya’s fifth city in August 2024.
Governor Jonathan Bii, who championed the project, emphasized its role in reducing congestion and enhancing road safety in a city now handling over 300,000 vehicles daily.
“Keeping our city in check! Traffic lights installation underway,” Bii posted on X last week, underscoring the initiative’s significance.
Social media buzzed with reactions, as posts captured the public’s fascination. One user, @DanChepta, noted, “Residents of Eldoret City came out in large numbers to watch the traffic lights in operation,” accompanied by a video of crowds marveling at the red, amber, and green signals.
Another, @niiteevanso, described the scene as “shock” at the turnout, while @baroswahjr quipped, “If people came out to see traffic lights launched in Eldoret, we still have a long way to go.”
The event wasn’t without precedent. Eldoret’s first attempt at traffic lights in the 1990s ended abruptly when accidents prompted their disconnection, as drivers struggled to adapt.
This history fuelled mixed sentiments among onlookers. Others, like resident Brenda Tirop, praised the lights as a sign of progress, predicting Eldoret could become “the Washington of Africa.”
While the initiative has been lauded for modernizing the city, concerns linger about public readiness.
— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) June 12, 2025
