Nakuru residents decry harrassment by criminal gangs as the main threat to life in the city

Nakuru-based budget expert Peter Rono during the Agenda Yetu meeting in Nakuru Town West

Nakuru City residents are sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in insecurity, citing escalating harassment by criminal gangs as a grave threat to their safety and livelihoods.

They listed insecurity, poor health services, inadequate drainage systems, and perennial water shortages, among the key challenges affecting them.

Residents spoke during a citizen assembly dubbed  'Agenda Yetu' organised by Uraia Trust at AIC Shabaab in Nakuru Town West.

They called for urgent action to dismantle criminal gangs operating with impunity in several estates.

Residents lament that knife-wielding gangsters roam freely, attacking people in broad daylight with little or no intervention from security agencies.

Different speakers at the forum said they now live in constant fear of being attacked or killed.

Jane Kimani said businesses have been severely affected, with shop owners forced to close as early as 6pm to avoid attacks.

“The organised criminal gangs have crippled businesses in the estates. Traders close early or risk being attacked,” she said.

Residents also expressed frustration with law enforcement, claiming suspects are often arrested but released shortly afterwards, sometimes within an hour, and allegedly with details of those who reported them.

“People are afraid to share information because confidentiality is not guaranteed. These criminals may retaliate against anyone who reports them,” another resident said.

Nakuru has in recent years been linked to the emergence of ruthless criminal gangs, some of which reportedly began as mobile money fraud syndicates before evolving into knife- and panga-wielding groups.

In the run-up to the 2022 general election, gangs reportedly terrorised parts of Nakuru Town East, Nakuru Town West and neighbouring Bahati constituency.

Residents said women and girls were particularly targeted, with cases of sexual assault, murder and bodies set ablaze reported during that period.

During the meeting, residents urged county and national governments to work together to restore security.

They blamed the county administration for inadequate street lighting, saying poorly lit areas provide a conducive environment for criminals.

Beyond insecurity, residents criticised the state of healthcare services, citing reduced budget allocations, understaffing, poor management, and lack of essential equipment and medicines as major contributors to poor service delivery.

The citizen assemblies are being implemented by Uraia Trust in collaboration with the Centre for Transformational Leadership (CTL).

Uraia Trust civic education manager Hellen Mudora said the forums are designed to give citizens an opportunity to articulate issues affecting them and define their development priorities ahead of the August 2027 election.

“Too often politics revolves around elites, ethnicity or personalities instead of the real issues affecting citizens,” she said.

Mudora said the initiative seeks to promote issue-based politics by ensuring governance agendas originate from citizens rather than being imposed by politicians.

“Citizens should engage their elected leaders to demand services based on their needs. Let the people develop the manifestos instead of politicians imposing their agendas on them,” she said.

Mudora said discussions in Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West had revealed insecurity and service delivery as top priorities.

“Elections are coming next year and it is important for citizens to start preparing early. By 2027, the political calendar will dominate, and the voice of the people may be overshadowed,” she added.

Mudora said Agenda Yetu is currently a pilot project in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Tharaka Nithi, Murang’a, and Baringo counties with plans to scale it up based on findings.

“Depending on the outcome of the pilot phase, the concept may be expanded to other counties so citizens can set their own agendas rather than leaving that role to politicians,” she said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Rising insecurity in Nakuru City underscores the growing threat posed by organised criminal gangs and the gaps in law enforcement. Residents report daily fear, daylight attacks and limited police intervention, which has disrupted businesses and eroded community trust. Contributing factors include inadequate street lighting, weak policing, and poor coordination between county and national authorities. Beyond security, chronic challenges in healthcare, drainage, and water supply highlight systemic governance weaknesses. The Agenda Yetu citizen assemblies reveal a community demanding issue-based solutions ahead of 2027 elections. Nakuru’s experience illustrates the need for integrated security, infrastructure, and citizen-driven governance to restore public confidence and safety.