Nakuru Steps Up Infrastructure Upgrades Ahead Of 2027 Madaraka Day Celebrations

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Nakuru County has stepped up preparations for next year’s Madaraka Day national celebrations, with the county government reviewing ongoing road expansion projects and fast-tracking key infrastructure upgrades ahead of the national event at Afraha Stadium.

The ongoing and planned improvements, valued at more than Sh1 billion, will target major roads within Nakuru City, addressing longstanding infrastructure challenges, including traffic congestion, deteriorating road surfaces, inadequate drainage and narrow carriageways.

The June 1, 2027, celebrations will mark Nakuru’s return to the national calendar 11 years after it last hosted a national celebrations event.

Today, Governor Susan Kihika held a meeting with regional engineers from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), led by Engineer Stephen Korir, to assess the progress of ongoing road expansion projects and identify challenges affecting their implementation.

The meeting also received a progress briefing from a technical committee comprising county officials, KURA representatives and officers from the County Commissioner’s office. Established last month, the committee is tasked with coordinating infrastructure upgrades, monitoring implementation and addressing bottlenecks affecting the projects.

Among the key challenges identified were illegal encroachment on road reserves, blocked drainage systems and faulty street lighting, which have affected the city’s infrastructure and urban management.

Governor Kihika said the joint technical team would work to address the challenges and ensure the projects are implemented in line with the city’s infrastructure development priorities.

“We finalized agreements to integrate Non-Motorized Transport facilities to ensure pedestrian safety, construct modern drainage channels, install streetlights to bolster public security, and plant trees along Oginga Odinga Avenue and the four spur roads,” the county boss said.

Oginga Odinga Avenue, the city’s longest road, is among the key beneficiaries of the planned facelift. The road runs from Bedi, past Central Police Station, Menengai High School and Free Area, skirts Lake Nakuru National Park and terminates at Pipeline.

Its strategic role as a major transport corridor and bypass linking Pipeline to Eveready makes its upgrading a priority for improving connectivity between residential, commercial and institutional areas.

The proposed works will include dualling the carriageways, improving drainage, installing streetlights and developing supporting infrastructure to enhance traffic flow, pedestrian safety and the road’s overall appearance.

Other roads earmarked for improvement include East Road, which connects Mashambani Stage, Wakulima Market, Bargain Market and Nakuru Nursing Home.

Mburu Gichua Road, stretching from Gate House Roundabout through the Mosque area to Kingdom Seekers and National Youth Service facilities, is also on the list.

Gusii Road, which runs from Gituamba Night Club through Taidy’s area to Ngala Estate, will similarly undergo improvements.

Club Road and Moi Road, which serve the Rift Valley regional headquarters and Nakuru County offices, respectively, will also be rehabilitated under a Sh400 million allocation for secondary roads.

The projects are expected to complement the Rironi-Mau Summit dual carriageway, which passes through Nakuru City, while strengthening the city’s road network to accommodate increasing traffic and urban expansion.

The broader infrastructure program is expected to improve transport and connectivity, support businesses and create employment opportunities during construction and beyond.

The upgrades also form part of efforts by Kihika’s administration to modernize Nakuru City and strengthen its capacity five years after it attained city status.

Nakuru Municipality was officially elevated to city status in December 2021 by then President Uhuru Kenyatta. However, the rapid expansion of the urban center has continued to place pressure on its road network and other essential infrastructure.

Nakuru is among Kenya’s fastest-growing urban centers, with its economy driven by trade, tourism, education and its strategic position along the Northern Corridor.

The Governor also appealed to residents to cooperate with KURA and the implementation teams, particularly in addressing illegal encroachment on road reserves and other activities that could disrupt construction works.

“I appeal to all residents to cooperate fully with KURA and our dedicated teams during this transformative journey,” the governor implored.

Nakuru last hosted the national Madaraka Day celebrations in 2016, becoming the first county outside Nairobi to host the event as part of the government’s efforts to decentralize national celebrations.

Subsequent celebrations were held in Nyeri in 2017, Meru in 2018, Narok in 2019, Kisumu in 2021, Nairobi in 2022, Embu in 2023, Bungoma in 2024, Homa Bay in 2025 and this year in Wajir county.

Hosting national celebrations has provided counties with opportunities to attract new investments, stimulate economic activities, accelerate infrastructure development and raise their regional profiles. The events also generate business for the hospitality, transport and retail sectors, with local enterprises benefiting from increased visitor numbers and economic activity.