The Ministry Of Local Government has taken a decisive step toward setting things right by correcting a longstanding practice that, according to the Ministry, has persisted since independence.
The Ministry Is taking action to strip towns that do not meet the required criteria of the city status they have been enjoying, despite their apparent failure to qualify for such recognition.
In Some Parts of the country, particularly in the southeastern counties, towns, bush paths, or hamlets have been given the crown of city status even though they may lack the essential requirements to justify such a designation.
It Is Like giving a pepper bird the status of an eagle, a rat the status of an elephant, a creek the status of an ocean, or a hill the status of a mountain.
These Comparisons May sound amusing, but they illustrate a serious point: names and titles should reflect reality, not exaggeration, nor nomenclatures.
According To The Ministry, cities are being assessed against established requirements, including a population of at least 10,000, electricity, piped water, qualify schools, health facilities, waste collection, and other essential infrastructure.
However, The Ministry’s decision has sparked a legal dispute. Critics argue that the Ministry cannot independently alter the status of cities established by the Legislature.
Against This Background, the House of Representatives has summoned Ministry officials to explain the legal basis for the proposed changes, with an appearance scheduled for October 20, 2026.
The Ministry Maintains that 108 of the 141 cities do not meet the stated requirements. Nevertheless, the legal authority and procedures for changing their status remain contested. This makes it necessary for the relevant authorities to clarify the law, and ensure that any changes are carried out through the proper legal process.
Against This Background, nonetheless, we support the principle behind the Ministry’s initiative: bringing order to the designation of cities, and ensuring that city status is supported by reality and the law.
A Town Should not be called a city, simply, because, someone has given it that name. Such recognition should be earned by meeting the established requirements.
Our Position Is not that towns should be denied opportunities for growth and development. Rather, they should be encouraged, and supported to develop the population base, infrastructure, and public services necessary to qualify for city status.
The Goal Should be to raise towns to the required standard, not merely to lower their titles.
It Is Wrong to call a town a city when it does not meet the legally established criteria. Equally important, however, is the need to respect the law, and the authority of the institutions empowered to confer, or withdraw such status.
Therefore, Let The Ministry pursue this process transparently, consistently, and lawfully. Let it remove undeserved crowns where the evidence and the law justify doing so, while giving affected communities a fair opportunity to respond and improve their standing.
A Crown Should represent achievement, not an illusion. Let the Ministry disrobe those who wear undeserved crowns and restore dignity, meaning, and credibility to the title of city.
