Geoffrey Mwangi: Nakuru County at a crossroads: What ails it—and what must change

CPA Geoffrey Gitau Mwangi

Nakuru County occupies a strategic place in Kenya’s social and economic landscape. With fertile land, major transport corridors, and a diverse population, it should be among the country’s most resilient counties. Yet many residents experience a different reality—strained public services, limited opportunity, and declining confidence in public institutions.

Understanding what ails Nakuru requires more than statistics. It requires familiarity with how ordinary families interact with government systems—healthcare, education, agriculture, and employment—and where those systems repeatedly fail.

I was born in Kamwaura village in Njoro Constituency, and educated entirely within Nakuru County before joining the public service. Like many families in the county, mine depended on discipline, education, and public institutions to progress.

My father worked in the colonial government and rose to become a farm manager, an experience that exposed our family to both the opportunities and limitations of state-led systems.

My own path—through public schools in Nakuru, employment at the National Treasury, and later service in senior public roles—has provided direct exposure to how policy decisions translate into real outcomes for households. That experience informs how I view Nakuru’s challenges: not as abstract problems, but as systemic weaknesses that affect access, dignity, and opportunity.

A Healthcare system under strain

Healthcare delivery in Nakuru has deteriorated steadily. Facilities that once functioned as dependable referral centres are now overstretched. Congestion in maternity wards, shortages of essential supplies, and unreliable emergency services have become familiar experiences for patients.

These challenges point to deeper issues of financing, planning, and accountability. Without sustainable insurance mechanisms and predictable funding, health facilities struggle to maintain standards.

Infrastructure rehabilitation, staffing, and emergency response must be addressed alongside reforms that reduce the financial burden on households. Access to healthcare should be consistent and affordable, not dependent on crisis interventions.

Education still unequal

Education remains the most reliable pathway out of poverty, yet many learners in Nakuru drop out because of financial constraints. Although counties are constitutionally responsible for Early Childhood Development, educational failure at higher levels ultimately undermines county development outcomes.

Current education support mechanisms are often fragmented and difficult for families to navigate. Parents—especially mothers—frequently find themselves seeking assistance without clear criteria or transparency.

A coherent, needs-based education support framework that links early learning to tertiary education would strengthen social mobility while preserving dignity.

Agriculture: From survival to enterprise

Agriculture is Nakuru’s economic backbone, yet many farmers remain trapped in low returns despite owning productive land. Years of limited diversification and weak value chains have reduced farming to subsistence for many households.

Reintroducing high-value crops suited to the county’s ecology could significantly improve incomes. Pyrethrum, once widely grown from Kinungi to Mau Summit, demonstrates what is possible.

With the global pyrethrum market estimated at about USD 1.7 billion, reclaiming a substantial share could raise household earnings. Strengthening value chains for potatoes, carrots, horticulture, and emerging crops such as castor would further stabilise farm livelihoods.

A Generation at risk

Nakuru’s youth population is growing, but employment opportunities have not kept pace. Many young people lack practical skills aligned with available work, leaving them vulnerable to long-term unemployment and social instability.

Addressing this gap requires deliberate investment in vocational training, apprenticeships, and the digital economy. Trades, creative industries, and online work offer viable pathways if paired with skills development and access to affordable capital through structured, accountable institutions.

Infrastructure, Water, and Social Cohesion

Poor rural roads continue to undermine productivity, particularly in agricultural zones that require reliable, all-weather access. Water scarcity—exacerbated by stalled projects and limited storage—threatens household welfare and food security.

Beyond infrastructure, Nakuru has historically been characterised by peaceful coexistence. Residents consistently prioritise service delivery over division. Preserving this cohesion requires leadership that focuses on equitable development and consistent delivery rather than political mobilisation.

Unlocking Untapped Potential

Nakuru’s economic potential remains underutilised. Assets such as Lake Nakuru could support sustainable recreation and economic activity if managed responsibly. Public land, including parcels associated with ADC and Egerton University, must be protected and restored to productive public use.

As a major transit hub, Nakuru also stands to benefit from improved urban planning—modern bus parks, restored railway land, and amenities that encourage travellers to stop, spend, and invest locally.

Ultimately, Nakuru’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of resources or talent, but in weak systems and inconsistent execution. Addressing them requires professional management, long-term planning, and a focus on dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity for all residents.

Writer; CPA Geoffrey Gitau Mwangi