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Nakuru
City in Nakuru County, Kenya From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Nakuru (nicknamed Nax) is a city in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. It is the capital of Nakuru County, and it is the fourth largest city in Kenya and the largest in the Rift Valley region. As of 2019, Nakuru had an urban population of 570,674,[3] making it the largest urban center in the Rift Valley, above Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The city lies along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
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History
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Archaeological discoveries were located about 8 kilometres (26,000 ft) from the Central Business District at Hyrax Hill.[4][5]
The city was incepted on 28 January 1904 when a local area one mile away from the railway station's main entrance was proclaimed to be a township by the British authorities.[6] The name of the town was derived from the Maasai-speaking people of Kenya.
During the colonial era, the British established Nakuru as part of the White Highlands and it became a municipality in 1952.
After the founding of the Republic of Kenya, the first and second presidents of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi respectively, had their semi-official residences. The city had been known for Kenyan politics and was home to politicians such as Kariuki Chotara, Kihika Kimani, Mirugi Kariuki, and Koigi Wamwere.
During the 2007 post-election violence, dozens of buildings in Nakuru were burnt to the ground.[7]
On 3 June 2021, Nakuru was no longer a municipality after the Kenyan Senate voted that its status was adequate enough to be a city.[8][9] Following the Senate of Kenya's approval in June, the President of the Republic of Kenya chartered Nakuru on 1 December 2021.[10] It is the fourth urban centre in Kenya to be declared a city after Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.[11]
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Geography
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The city of Nakuru is situated in Nakuru County, Kenya. It lies 1,850 metres above sea level.[12]
Nakuru County holds four of the Rift Valley lakes, Lake Solai, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita, and Lake Naivasha.
Cityscape
Urban Layout and Infrastructure:
Nakuru’s Central Business District (CBD) serves as the commercial and administrative hub of the city, featuring a mix of modern and colonial-era architecture. The CBD is compact, with key streets like Kenyatta Avenue hosting prominent landmarks such as the Nyayo Gardens, a public green space that adds aesthetic value to the urban core. The city’s rail infrastructure, part of the Rift Valley Railways narrow-gauge track, includes a railway station located on the edge of the CBD, connecting Nakuru to Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret.[13]
The city’s growth has led to the development of residential neighborhoods catering to diverse demographics. Milimani is an affluent area known for its quiet, secure environment, while Section 58 and Kiamunyi offer modern homes and spacious plots suitable for families. More affordable areas like Langalanga and Naka are situated closer to the CBD, providing accessible amenities and proximity to businesses. Nakuru’s infrastructure has expanded significantly since its elevation to city status on December 1, 2021, with ongoing investments in roads, public services, and commercial developments. However, the city has relatively few tall buildings due to seismic risks associated with the Rift Valley’s geological activity and the presence of weak volcanic soils, which increase the cost of skyscraper construction.[14][15]
Natural Landmarks and Green Spaces:
Nakuru’s cityscape is distinguished by its proximity to natural landmarks that enhance its scenic appeal. Lake Nakuru, located approximately 2 kilometers south of the city center, is a soda lake within the Lake Nakuru National Park, renowned for its vast flamingo populations and diverse birdlife. The lake’s vibrant pink hues, caused by flamingo gatherings, are visible from various vantage points in the city and contribute to Nakuru’s identity as a tourism hub. The Menengai Crater, an extinct volcano standing at 2,490 meters and one of the largest surviving volcanic craters in the world, lies just north of the city. Its forested caldera, accessible by foot or vehicle, offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and is a defining feature of Nakuru’s skyline.
The Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site, located 8 kilometers from the CBD, adds historical depth to the cityscape. Discovered by the Leakey family in 1926, this Neolithic and Iron Age site, along with its adjoining museum, attracts scholars and tourists, contributing to Nakuru’s cultural landscape. The city also benefits from the temperate climate of the Rift Valley, with green spaces and agricultural fields visible on its outskirts, reflecting its role as a major agricultural producer of crops like maize, wheat, barley, and potatoes.
Cultural and Economic Features:
Nakuru’s cityscape reflects its status as a UNESCO Creative City in the Craft and Folk Arts category, designated in November 2021. The city’s cultural diversity, driven by communities such as the Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya, and Maasai, is evident in its vibrant markets, festivals, and public spaces. Retail hubs like Naivas and Gilanis underscore Nakuru’s role as a commercial center, with bustling shopping districts integrated into the urban fabric.[16]
The city’s economy, driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, shapes its physical environment. Large silos operated by the National Cereals and Produce Board and Lesiolo Grain Handlers Limited are prominent on the city’s outskirts, storing crops that supply both local and national markets. Manufacturing facilities producing soaps, motorcycles, batteries, and gardening equipment are scattered throughout the city, contributing to its industrial landscape.
Educational and Institutional Presence:
Nakuru’s cityscape is enriched by its educational institutions, which serve as landmarks and hubs of activity. Egerton University, established in 1939, and Kabarak University are prominent institutions, with campuses that blend modern and traditional architectural elements. Additional campuses of the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Mount Kenya University further enhance Nakuru’s academic profile. The Nakuru War Memorial Hospital, established post-World War I, and the Nakuru County Referral Hospital are key healthcare facilities that anchor the city’s public service infrastructure.[17]
Challenges and Future Development:
Despite its growth, Nakuru’s cityscape faces challenges related to its seismic-prone location and historical episodes of unrest, such as the 2007 post-election violence that damaged parts of the city. Ongoing urban planning efforts aim to address these issues through sustainable development, with a focus on integrating cultural and creative industries into the city’s growth strategy, as emphasized by its UNESCO Creative City designation. Infrastructure projects, including road expansions and public service enhancements, are transforming Nakuru’s cityscape to accommodate its rapidly growing population, which reached 570,674 in 2019.[18]
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Climate
Nakuru has temperate and subtropical highland climates (known as Csb); temperatures fall significantly at night and between June and August.[19]
Gardens
The Nyayo Gardens are located along Kenyatta Avenue in Nakuru.
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Economy
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Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism make up the economy of Nakuru. Around the city, it is widely known for its agricultural activity. The main crops grown include coffee, wheat, barley, maize, beans, and potatoes. These crops are stored in great silos at the outskirts of the city, stored by the National Cereals and Produce Board and Lesiolo Grain Handlers Limited. The crops are the main sources for manufacturing industries found in Nakuru and Nairobi, such as flour milling and grain ginneries. Dairy farming supplies milk processing plants within Nakuru.
Some manufacturing industries include the production of soaps, motorcycles, batteries, and gardening equipment.
Nakuru is one of Kenya's largest hubs for retail supermarket chains with The Nakumatt, Naivas, Tuskys, and Gilanis being founded.
The city is also a centre for various retail businesses that provide goods and services to the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. A large public market lies to the west of the town on the main thoroughfare to the capital, Nairobi.
Human resources
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Education
Nakuru is the home of Egerton University and Kabarak University, a private university associated with former President Moi's business and religious interests. Mount Kenya University, University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University have campuses situated here.
Nakuru contains numerous public and private secondary schools. Public schools include Nakuru Boys High School and Nakuru Girls High School (formerly Nakuru High School), Menengai High School, and Nakuru Day Secondary School.
There is a public library run by the Kenya National Library Service.
Public health
The Nakuru hospital is one of the largest in the county, historically the biggest in the province of Rift Valley. It is also home to the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital, opened shortly after World War I by Norman Jewell to commemorate troops.
Public safety
Police and law enforcement
Nakuru has a fire department that can be accessed by calling 911. The number can be called in case of any other emergencies.
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Transportation
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Air
Nakuru is home to the Lanet Airstrip, later approved in 2017 to be upgraded to an international airport by the Ministry of Transport and the county government.
Nakuru is also home to Kabarak Airstrip, located 20 kilometres (12 mi) away from the city centre.
Road
Dondori Road C86 links the city to central Kenya. The Eldoret-Nairobi highway passes through this city, linking Uasin Gishu County with Nairobi.
Rail
The Rift Valley Railways narrow gauge track runs through the city with a railway station located on the edge of the CBD. It connects to cities Nairobi and Mombasa to the east, and Kisumu and Eldoret to the west.
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Tourism
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 | This article is written like a travel guide. (June 2023) |
Two kilometres south of the town of Nakuru is Lake Nakuru, one of the Rift Valley soda lakes, which forms part of the Lake Nakuru National Park. The park was declared a rhinoceros sanctuary in 1983[22] a Ramsar site in 1990, and as an Important Bird Area in 2009.[23][24] The park is internationally known for its dense flamingo population. It is an important feeding site for great white pelicans that nest in nearby Lake Elmenteita.[24] The park is home to over 450 species of birds and 56 mammal species, including Rothschild's giraffes.[23]
Another point of interest includes Menengai Crater, a dormant volcano. Small fumaroles and steam vents can regularly be observed within the forested caldera from above. The second largest surviving volcanic crater in the world, it plunges 483 metres down from the rim, and the summit is accessible by walking or driving 8 kilometres to Nyahururu. The wood-covered crater ground is a nature reserve.
Nakuru's closest tourist destinations are Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo in Baringo County.
The Hyrax Hill prehistoric site, discovered by the Leakeys in 1926, is considered a major Neolithic and Iron Age site. The adjoining museum features finds from various nearby excavations.
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Culture and contemporary life
Sports
Afraha Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Nakuru, Kenya. It is mainly used for football matches, and it is the home stadium of Nakuru AllStars — part of the Kenyan Premier League — and Ulinzi Stars of the Kenyan Premier League. The stadium holds 8,200 people and opened in 1948. It is two kilometres from Lake Nakuru National Park. In addition to being used for playing sports, Afraha Stadium hosted political meetings, including the GEMA promoted change The Constitution Series held in the 1970s. The former ruling party KANU also held many prominent meetings during the presidency of Daniel arap Moi.[25]
The Rift Valley Sports Club lies in the centre of the city. The club was started in 1907[26] by European settlers who had settled in Nakuru in the early 1900s.
A motor racing track, Nakuru Park (not to be confused with the Langa Langa circuit near Gilgil), operated in the Lake View Estate area from 1956 until the mid 1980s.[27]
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Demographics and surrounding towns
| This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (June 2022) |
Nakuru is host to a diverse populace from across Kenya making it fit the description of a cosmopolitan city. The city consists predominantly of ethnic communities such as the Kikuyu people, Kalenjin, Luhya, Gusii, Luo, and people of Indian descent. Moreover, some settler families still live in the area today. However, the majority, about 70% of Nakuru's population is the Kikuyu community with the Kalenjin coming in second place. According to the 2019 Kenya Population Census, Nakuru had the third-largest urban population in Kenya.
The diverse populace of Nakuru makes it a hub for entrepreneurship. It also gives it a blend of cultures underpinning the city's culture of hospitality and cuisine.[28]
Surrounding towns include the residential town Lanet, approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Nakuru. Njoro lies 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Nakuru and is a small agricultural town with a local university aimed at promoting agricultural development in Kenya, namely Egerton University established in 1934.
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Government
Nakuru is the headquarters of Nakuru County. The current governor is Susan Kihika, and the Member of Parliament for the town is David Gikaria. The senator for Nakuru is Tabitha Karanja.
Alicen Chelaite was the first woman to serve as Mayor of Nakuru from 1996 to 1998.[29]
Sister cities
Nakuru is a sister city of East Orange, New Jersey, United States.
See also
References
Bibliography
External links
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