The official website of the County Government of Nakuru, www.nakuru.go.ke, has been offline for four consecutive days, displaying a “File Not Found” error to users.
This outage has blocked residents and stakeholders from accessing vital county information and services, raising alarm about the reliability of Nakuru’s digital infrastructure.
Commonly known as a 404 error, the “File Not Found” message typically signals missing webpage files, incorrect URLs, or server misconfigurations.
Unverified posts on X suggest the website may have been compromised by hacktivists, with some alleging a protest in connection to the recent arrest of Rose Njeri, an IT specialist who developed a webpage enabling Kenyans to email objections to the 2025/26 Finance Bill.
If true, this could point to a cybersecurity breach rather than a routine technical issue, exposing potential vulnerabilities in the county’s digital systems.
The County Government of Nakuru has yet to release an official statement addressing the outage or outlining plans for resolution, leaving users without clarity on the cause or a timeline for restoration.
When contacted, the County’s Director of Communications, Bernard Namunane, offered no explanation for the website’s unavailability.
“We only have the rights to upload things, how it works and operates is the work of the IT Department,” he stated in a phone call.
Chief Officer Catherine Changwony, when contacted, appeared out of touch with her ICT, e-Government, and Public Communication department, lacking familiarity with its operations.
“Oh sorry. I am not aware,” she stated, suggesting a degree of honesty in admitting her lack of knowledge, but it could also raise concerns about her effectiveness in managing the critical department.
Residents depend on the website for critical updates on county services, job opportunities, and public participation initiatives, including the ongoing Nakuru County Budget Estimate for FY 2025/2026.
The prolonged outage, and the lack of communication, underscores the importance of a secure, well-maintained digital infrastructure and transparent crisis communication from public institutions.