Nakuru is heading into a weekend that feels calm on the surface, with only a few organised events lined up, but the city is far from asleep.

This is one of those weekends where the action is spread out and selective, fewer posters on the streets, but enough going on to give residents options depending on their mood. From hard-hitting rugby to quiet flower showcases and football-filled evenings, Nakuru is keeping things simple but enjoyable.

The biggest moment of the weekend comes on Saturday, January 17, when the city’s rugby spotlight turns to the Refinery Grounds for the much-anticipated Nakuru Derby.

Menengai Oilers host Nakuru RFC in a tense Kenya Cup Round Five clash, a fixture that always draws emotion, noise and local pride. For the Oilers, it’s a chance to defend home turf.

For Nakuru RFC, it’s about upsetting familiar rivals and staying in the hunt for vital Kenya Cup points. With entry set at KES 200, the derby is expected to be the weekend’s main magnet for sports lovers.

Away from the intensity of the pitch, Nakuru’s floriculture scene is quietly taking centre stage. The Nakuru Open Day Invite 2026, hosted at the United Selections Nakuru Showhouse, is concluding this weekend, attracting flower farmers, exporters, agribusiness players and enthusiasts from within and outside the county.

The open day offers guided tours of the showhouse, showcasing newly developed flower varieties, innovations in breeding, and sustainable production practices.

For many visitors, it’s also a networking opportunity, a chance to exchange ideas, explore market trends and understand Nakuru’s growing importance in Kenya’s flower industry, all in a relaxed setting complete with refreshments.

Sunday offers a slower, reflective alternative for residents looking to escape the city. Nakuru Expeditions is organising Twende Kariandusi, a trip to the historic Kariandusi Prehistoric Site. The experience blends travel, learning and leisure, allowing participants to explore one of Kenya’s most significant archaeological sites while enjoying a calm day out.

As evening sets in, Nakuru’s entertainment joints are expected to pick up the slack. Bars and sports lounges across the city are lining up big-screen screenings of the Manchester Derby and the AFCON finals, ensuring football lovers have their own share of weekend drama.

It may be a slow weekend on the events calendar, but with rugby rivalry, blooming flowers and football-fueled nights, Nakuru still offers enough to step out and enjoy the moment.

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Weekend Guide: Menengai Oilers host Nakuru RFC in the Kenya Cup Round Five clash

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Purity Kinuthia