Gilgil town that sits about 25 kilometres from Naivasha and 48 kilometres from Nakuru city has continued to bear the tag 'sleepy town' owing to the slow pace of development.

The pre-colonial town began as a temporary camp for an Indian military contingent in 1897.

Though the town is the home to two major barracks, expansion of the town has remained a challenge.
The Gilgil barracks is home to the 5th Kenya Rifles (Kenya Army Infantry) also known as "the fighting five", while the Kenyatta Barracks is home to Kenya's only airborne battalion, the 20th Battalion and also home to the 66 Artillery brigade, the 76 Armoured Recce Battalion and the 1st Mortar Battalion.

Critics argue that the presence of the barracks makes it impossible for the town to expand.

In addition, the National Youth Service institution on the south of the town complicates any expansion prospects.

Moses Gitonga is a senior citizen in Gilgil's Langalanga estate in Murindat Ward.

Gitonga in a phone interview, admits that vast land in Gilgil town is occupied by the barracks as well as NYS hence no room to expand the town.

"Gilgil as we speak now is locked between two barracks and NYS on the other side then we have a Highway on the other end," he says.

Gitonga who doubles up as a human rights defender now says the only way that the town will expand is through the government acquiring land for expansion.

According to him, there is available land occupied by Amarula as well as that of Delamere.

Gitonga argues that there is nothing that can hinder the government from acquiring land even from the Delamere.

This even as he says there is need for the county government to start wooing investors to come and set up institutions of higher learning.

It will be recalled that last year, former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui oversaw the elevation of Gilgil and Molo to Municipality.

Despite the Municipality status, the town needs improved drainage, proper road network, reliable water supply, as well as equipped hospitals.

pmambili@gmail.com

Why expansion of Gilgil town is a tall order

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Pristone Mambili