Eldoret’s recent elevation to Kenya’s fifth largest city was overshadowed by statues celebrating the city’s sporting achievements.

Hours before the official ceremony, criticism erupted on social media as images of athletes’ statues at key intersections were widely shared. The monuments, which are meant to cement Eldoret’s reputation as a “city of champions”, have been roundly criticised by online commentators who found them embarrassing and unworthy of a city known for its world-class athletes. The backlash was so fierce that Uasin Gishu County officials were forced to remove the statuettes through enforcement officers yesterday.

Despite this action, social media users continue to criticize the organizers of the national event. Critics argue that the statues are unsightly and potentially off-putting to visitors. The procurement process for designing the statues and the county’s spending on beautification measures have also been questioned. Many athletes have expressed disappointment with the quality of the monuments, claiming that the athletes deserve better representation given their contribution to the city’s international reputation.

The controversy reached its peak when Eldoret Municipal Manager Tito Koiyet clarified that the statues were donations from artists and not funded by the county government. Koiyet expressed disappointment at the outcome, admitting that the artworks did not reflect the intended vision and attributed the substandard quality to inadequate oversight. The statues, believed to depict world record holder Faith Kipyegon and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, were criticised as “embarrassing” and “shameless” by locals and social media users alike.

Despite the controversy, however, several other monuments representing Eldoret’s economic pillars received praise. Two gourds erected along Ronald Ngala Street at the Juma Hajji roundabout were praised for their attractiveness and symbolism of the city’s fondness for traditional sour milk known as mursik. A monument depicting a corncob and wheat prominently placed along Kenyatta Street also received positive attention. In addition, a water jet on Nandi Road seemed to go down well with Eldoret residents.

The timing of the statue controversy coincided with President William Ruto’s reception of athletes who had won medals at the 2024 Olympic Games. Kenya was the highest-ranking African country at the Paris Olympics, securing 17th place in the medal table with four gold medals and a total of 11 medals. Notable among the successfulrs is Faith Kipyegon, who took the 1,500m title with a new Olympic record and also secured a silver medal in the 5,000m race.

While the statue debacle marred the celebrations marking Eldoret’s city status, it also sparked a broader discussion about public art, representation and the importance of proper planning and implementation of public projects.