East Africa's Cleanest Town Now Drenched in Waste


A section of Kenyatta Avenue within Nakuru City which is fitted with surveillance cameras.
Nakuru town (now city) was once the cleanest in East Africa but as things turn out, the town is now losing the glory.
A walk in the central Business (CBD) during the rainy season reveals poor drainage due to the dilapidated drainage system that was laid in the early years.
The poor drainage systems have led to the spillage of flood waters onto the feeder roads within the CBD.
Nakuru-based Environmental Activist James Wakibia in an interview with this writer called for fresh planning of the newest Kenya’s City.

World renown Environmental Activist James Wakibia
Wakibia notes that with the City status, the County Government together with the City Board should work closely in addressing such.
This, he says will attract more investors, adding that no investor would be attracted to invest in a City that does not care about the environment and the whole eco-system.
“There is a lot that has to be done in the Nakuru CBD, from drainage to the sewer. We need a new planning of the City to ensure a clean environment. A clean environment not only leads to a healthy community but leads to an improved economy” he stated.
Sentiments echoed by Ben Macharia from Friends of Devolution who says there is need for experts’ engagement on the same.
But Nakuru City Manager Gitau Thabanja is optimistic that in a few years to come the ‘Devolution City’ shall regain her lost glory.
He says clear plans are on to ensure proper planning of the City and urged residents to give the County Government and the City Board some time to address the same.
“I cannot say there is nothing that is being done. One thing I can assure the dwellers of this city is that as a Board we are working closely with the County Government to restore the glory of Nakuru” said Thabanja.
pmambili@googlemail.com