Sharoo
Lister
In the good old days, Kivumbini, Kaloleni, Flamingo, Paul Machanga, Baharini and Ojuka estates in Nakuru town were the most sought after residential areas for low income earners.
This was for a good reason.
Unlike other estates, these had all the amenities including round-the-clock water supply at a subsidised cost and a consistent supply of electricity.
Garbage collection was done weekly, making the estates some of the cleanest in Nakuru town, perhaps one of the reasons why it was regarded the cleanest in the region.
In addition, the houses were repainted at least twice a year and security was guaranteed with massive street lights strategically placed.
Residents of the golden 1980s and early 1990s era also remember well-maintained playgrounds for their children.
Over time, however, heaps of garbage started to appear and today, they have the areas an eyesore.
The estates are now a case study of poor planning and the social and economic implications have made life more difficult for residents.
Thanks to a booming population that has eaten up all the open spaces once reserved for backdoor gardening, makeshift iron sheet structures are a common sighting as some youths live in cubicles away from the parents they shared bedsitters with.
In the estates have arisen some of the deadliest gangs in Nakuru town, including one known as ‘Confirm’, whose members have turned some of the cubicles into their dens.
This was for a good reason.
Unlike other estates, these had all the amenities including round-the-clock water supply at a subsidised cost and a consistent supply of electricity.
Garbage collection was done weekly, making the estates some of the cleanest in Nakuru town, perhaps one of the reasons why it was regarded the cleanest in the region.
In addition, the houses were repainted at least twice a year and security was guaranteed with massive street lights strategically placed.
Residents of the golden 1980s and early 1990s era also remember well-maintained playgrounds for their children.
Over time, however, heaps of garbage started to appear and today, they have the areas an eyesore.
The estates are now a case study of poor planning and the social and economic implications have made life more difficult for residents.
Thanks to a booming population that has eaten up all the open spaces once reserved for backdoor gardening, makeshift iron sheet structures are a common sighting as some youths live in cubicles away from the parents they shared bedsitters with.
In the estates have arisen some of the deadliest gangs in Nakuru town, including one known as ‘Confirm’, whose members have turned some of the cubicles into their dens.
