According to the Urban Areas and Cities Act, for an area to be classified a city, it should have good infrastructure like proper street lighting.

However, this is not the case for Nakuru.

A section of the Nakuru-Eldoret highway that cuts across the city too is not left out. Other affected streets are, Gusii, Ronald Ngala, Oginga Odinga, Mudavadi, Moi Avenue, among others

Some of the roads have street light poles but the lights do not work. A good example is the road that stretches to Afraha stadium from Christ the King cathedral church.

According to James Kihugu, a bodaboda operator, some of these lights have been destroyed by thieves who thrive in the darkness.

“This place is not safe even for us boda boda operators. We have to go home early to avoid being robbed,” Kihugu adds.

According to, the city manager Mr Gitau Thabanja the county administration is aware of this problem.

He adds that there is a plan to address dark areas, the malfunctioning street lights and installation of lights along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.

“We have allocated Sh 60 million for street lighting on the section of Nakuru-Eldoret highway that cuts across the city,” he notes.

He further states that the county administration intends to light up all parts of the city in the next financial year.

Mr Thabanja adds that the County has managed to put solar power streetlights along supermarket. Kenya Power offices, Kipchoge Keino, Mashindano and Chui roads, making the project sustainable.

On the 31st of March 2023, the county government placed a call for tender for street lighting in the local dailies.

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Nakuru remains in darkness despite city status

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Winnie Kimani