Before 2019, one would never imagine that the once open bare field at Soilo would be developed into the posh ‘Upper hill estate’ of Nakuru.

It sits some few metres from the busy Nakuru City centre with the main entry to the estate situated just some metres before Njoro interchange on the Nakuru-Eldoret Highway on your left hand side.

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This is an estate that borders Kiamunyi, Baraka, Industrial area as well as Olive area of Nakuru West Sub county.

A sign post indicating Upper hill estate in Nakuru city.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

The estate traces its history way back in 2008 when individuals, majority of whom were teachers started buying plots and establishing their own residential houses.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu, Mr.Christopher Osoro says since then, the estate has drastically grown, changing the scenery of the area.

Christopher Osoro during an interview at Upper hill estate on September 19, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

“This was once an open field and no one knew that it would at one particular time be transformed into a posh estate that we see now,” says Osoro.

A spot check reveals numerous modern houses as well as rentals within the various mushrooming apartments within the estate.

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Mtaa Wangu has established that a 50 by 100 plot within the estate now goes for between Sh 3.5 to Sh 4 million.

Thomas Mageto, who has been supplying bread at Upper Hill Estate trading centre and various shops within the estate for the last 10 years, admits that the estate has continued to develop.

Thomas Mageto delivers bread to the shops at Upper hill trading centre on September 19, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

According to him, with the increase in the population, the demand for plots has continued to be high leading to the hike in prices.

“There were days that plots here were going for even Sh 50,000 to Sh 150,000, but this is no longer the case,” he says.

Sentiments echoed by Edwin Gesaka who runs a mini shop at the Upper Hill Estate trading Centre.

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Mr. Gesaka reveals that whenever an apartment comes up in the estate, it takes less than a month before it is occupied as rentals are in high demand.

Rent ranges between Sh 11,000 and Sh 15,000 for a one bedroom and 2-bedroom rental houses within the area respectively.

A residential house in upper hill estate taken on September 19, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

With no single rooms or bedsitters in the area, the estate qualifies to be that of the working class only with very few youth making it here.

But did you know this is among the few estates in Nakuru with no single liquor joints or even bars?

Well, Mr. Gesaka attributes this to the high level of discipline among the tenants adding that no landlord allows such even within the estate’s only trading centre.

For a few bottle lovers who have to take one or two, then they have to go to Nakuru Town or make it to Kiamunyi or Choma zone in London.

“There was a time someone tried to put up wines and spirits here, but he had a difficult time as the landlords ganged up against him. That is business that is not allowed in this estate,” he says.

But despite the posh Upper hill estate status, it has challenges in equal measure among them lack of water supply.

Locals here say the Nakuru Water and Sewerage Company(NAWASCO) has been rationing the supply.

According to Mr. Gesaka, residents now rely on a private bore hole for supply at a cost which they say has gone a long way in cushioning them from the harsh times of missing supply of the crucial service.

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“For the last one year, we have not had water from the supplying company and that is why the private borehole came in handy,” says Gesaka.

Andrew Nyamawa tends to his cattle at his home in Upper hill estate on September 19, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

On his part Mr. Andrew Nyamawa says the county government of Nakuru should also move with speed and ensure the feeder roads within the estate are rehabilitated.

He adds that vandalized security lights should be repaired to avert some cases of mugging that have been on the rise despite having Baraka Police Post on site.

pmambili@gmail.com

My Hood: An estate that does not allow sale of alcohol

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Pristone Mambili