Nakuru City: From Railway Outpost to Kenya’s Newest Urban Powerhouse
Nakuru’s story is a classic Kenyan arc—born of the railway, shaped by migration and trade, refined by agriculture and tourism, and recently reborn as one of the country’s fastest-rising cities. Today, set between the Menengai Crater and Lake Nakuru National Park, Nakuru City anchors the central Rift Valley economy and serves as a gateway between Nairobi and western Kenya. Its elevation to city status in 2021 signalled not just a title change but a new phase of investment, planning, and civic ambition.
A Brief History: The Town the Railway Built
Nakuru’s modern history begins at the turn of the 20th century with the construction of the Kenya–Uganda Railway. What started as a service stop on the line quickly attracted traders, artisans, and government outposts. Proximity to productive highland farms—wheat, pyrethrum, dairy, potatoes—made Nakuru a natural market town. In the colonial period, the broader region became part of the “White Highlands,” with estates surrounding the township and a commercial core that grew around the rail yards and main street.
After independence, Nakuru evolved into a multiethnic, fast-growing municipality. The town’s central location made it a meeting place for business and politics, while its landscape—Menengai’s caldera on one side and the flamingo-rimmed Lake Nakuru on the other—put it on the tourist map. Manufacturing, agro-processing, motor trade, and a vibrant retail sector took root. By the 1990s and 2000s, Nakuru was already functioning as a regional city in all but name—serving farmers from the north and west, travellers moving to and from Nairobi, and visitors en route to the Rift Valley’s parks and lakes.
Becoming a City: What the Status Means
In 2021, Nakuru became Kenya’s fourth city (after Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu). City status recognised decades of growth and unlocked a more structured urban governance framework—urban boards, stronger planning tools, and eligibility for specific national and international city support programs. Practically, it also raised expectations: better roads and drainage, modern markets, safer neighbourhoods, improved waste management, and greener public spaces. For local businesses, “city” is a brand: it signals scale, connectivity, and opportunity. The current Nakuru City Manager is Peter Gitau Thabanja.
The Urban Fabric: Geography, Neighbourhoods, and Economic Lifelines
Nakuru sits at over 1,800 meters above sea level, giving it cool, dry highland weather and fertile surrounding soils. The CBD still reflects the railway grid, with markets, wholesale depots, banks, and civic offices close together. Residential neighbourhoods—Kivumbini, Bondeni, Section 58, Milimani, Lanet, Free Area, and others—radiate outward along the trunk roads. Industrial yards cluster near the highway and old rail corridor, while new commercial strips have emerged along arterial routes serving growing estates.
Economically, Nakuru remains a hub for agriculture (dairy, potatoes, cereals, horticulture, pyrethrum), trade and logistics, education, health services, hospitality, and light industry. The city leans on a “three-leg” foundation: farm produce and agro-processing from the hinterlands, tourism and conferencing linked to Lake Nakuru and Menengai, and transport and logistics powered by the Nairobi–Nakuru–Eldoret corridor.
Heritage and Nature: Menengai & Lake Nakuru
Two landmarks define the city’s skyline and identity. Menengai Crater, one of the world’s largest calderas, rises just north of town with panoramic viewpoints, hiking tracks, and cultural significance. Lake Nakuru National Park to the south is famed for birdlife, rhinos, and acacia woodlands; even as flamingo movements vary with water conditions across the Rift lakes, the park remains a premier wildlife destination and a pillar of the local hospitality economy. Together, these anchors make urban-nature balance a core part of Nakuru’s appeal and planning challenge.
Recent Developments: What’s Changing on the Ground
1) Roads, Mobility, and Safety
Key corridors in and around the CBD have seen resurfacing, signalisation, pedestrian walkways, and junction improvements. Neighbourhood roads continue to receive grading and murram works, with targeted cabro paving in busy trading zones.
Highway Expansion – The Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit Highway is set to undergo a significant upgrade into a four-lane toll expressway, including a 4 km elevated section through Nakuru. This will cut travel times, boost safety, and strengthen freight movement between Nairobi and western Kenya.
2) Markets and Micro-Enterprise
New and rehabilitated markets have been prioritised to formalise thousands of traders, improve hygiene, and reduce congestion.
Bondeni Bus Park – Construction began in September 2022 after a groundbreaking by Governor Susan Kihika. This ultra-modern terminal can accommodate over 300 vehicles, decongesting the CBD and creating a safer, more organised hub for public transport.
3) Water, Sanitation, and Drainage
To keep pace with population growth, new boreholes, pipelines, and drainage upgrades are being implemented.
4) Solid Waste Management and Greening
The city is increasing the number of skip bins, collection routes, and clean-up drives. Greening programs aim to cool the city and beautify public spaces.
5) Social Infrastructure
Facility upgrades in health and education are expanding coverage, with more ECDE classrooms and bursary support. The Lions Garden has also been rehabilitated and was reopened to the public on March 7, 2025.
6) Housing and Urban Renewal
Estate upgrades, infill housing, and urban renewal projects are addressing the city’s growing population.
7) Smart Growth & Planning
Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) – Nakuru is introducing a digital mapping and planning system to improve urban management, from land use to service delivery.
8) Air Connectivity
Lanet Airport Upgrade – A KES 3 billion project is transforming Lanet airstrip into a modern airport with a longer runway and passenger terminal, opening Nakuru to domestic and regional flights.
Population Growth: A City on the Rise
Nakuru’s urban population has grown from around 570,000 in 2019 to over 686,000 in 2022. Projections suggest it could surpass 1 million by 2030, reinforcing the need for strategic planning.
Business Climate: Why Investors Look at Nakuru
Nakuru’s central location, strong transport links, agricultural hinterland, and rising tourism make it a prime destination for investment. Agro-processing, logistics, hospitality, education, healthcare, and retail are key growth areas.
Urban Challenges—and the City’s Response
With growth comes challenges—waste management, traffic, drainage, and housing—but Nakuru is tackling them through a mix of infrastructure upgrades, enforcement, and public engagement.
Culture, Community, and the City’s Heartbeat
From hiking Menengai to weekend market strolls and stadium matches, Nakuru’s diverse communities keep the city vibrant. Platforms like Famous Nakuru help share these stories.
Looking Ahead: Nakuru’s Next Chapter
Managing rapid growth while preserving green spaces, improving infrastructure, and fostering inclusive economic opportunity will define Nakuru’s future. With city status, strategic investments, and an engaged population, Nakuru is poised to lead the Rift Valley into a new era of prosperity.
From Kenya’s independence in 1963 to the year 2007, Nakuru Town was managed as a single Constituency. The 2010 constitution, however, split the Nakuru Town Constituency into two, Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West. The following are the MPs who have represented Nakuru since independence.
- 1963-1966 – Achieng’ Oneko
- 1967-1976 – Mark Mwithaga
- 1977-1979 – Willy Komen
- 1980-1983 – Mark Mwithaga
- 1984-1992 – Amos Kabiru Kimemia
- 1993-1997 – J.C. Lwali Oyondi
- 1998-2002 – David Manyara
- 2003-2006 – Mirugi Kariuki
- 2006-2007 – William Kariuki
- 2008-2013 – Lee Kinyanjui
- 2013-2017 – David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East)
- 2013-2017 – Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West)
- 2018 – David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East)
- 2018 – Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West)