Nakuru’s Kiratina estate is one of the oldest estates in Nakuru.

Inside it, you are welcomed by uncarpeted feeder roads.

Despite being one of the oldest estates, Kiratina lacks public schools as well as health facilities.

Mr. Huka Guyo who has stayed in the area since 1970 says lack of political good will from previous leaders is to blame.

He says children here have to go all the way to Madaraka, Hyrax Hill or Naka Primary schools to quench their thirst for education.

This comes with road safety risks as the children have to cross the busy Nakuru-Nairobi Highway to get to Madaraka or Naka Primary school which is some kilometres on the other side of the Highway.

The once bare field has been occupied with rental houses and even some investors are now putting up apartments.

A spot check around the estate, revealed that the only public facility is the stalled Kiratina market that has dilapidated structures.

Locals say the market was once operational during the Covid-19 pandemic but later closed down after traders moved back to Nakuru’s Wakulima Market and Free Area Market.

Saraha Nandi alias Mama Toto runs a small grocery (Kibanda ya mboga na matunda) in the estate and she admits that the area is home for the low and middle class.

The single mother of two has stayed in Kiratina since the early 1990s and says the challenges that were there are still the same despite devolution being in place.

“It is so sad that even with devolution in place, we still face the same challenges that we faced a long time ago in this estate,” she said.

The estate is also characterized by a huge number of unemployed youth who you will find at Miraa Joints commonly known as baze.

To political gurus, Kiratina is the political hot spot for Menengai East Ward seat and anyone who captures the interests of the people here, gets a direct pass to the County Assembly of Nakuru.

pmambili@gmail.com

My Hood: Inside Kiratina estate that lacks public schools, hospitals

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Pristone Mambili