Unfiltered: What's keeping Nakuru business leaders up at night?

The business community in Nakuru voiced their frustrations during an investment roundtable meeting attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, after grievances over policy continuation and access to finance dominated the discussions.

They cite limited access to affordable credit as a barrier crippling business growth.

Wilson Gitu, the chairperson of the Nakuru Business Association, says security remains a pressing concern for local businesses, with frequent thefts, break-ins, and unsafe conditions for workers disrupting operations.

“We have had areas where staff—particularly women—are unable to work early or late shifts due to fears for their safety, undermining efforts to build a 24-hour economy,” he says.

On financing, Gitu says members continue to face prohibitive borrowing rates of 14 to 15 percent, making it nearly impossible to undertake capital-intensive projects.

“Some investors have been seeking funding for projects worth billions of shillings for over two years without success. We call for access to substantial financing at around six percent interest to allow businesses to invest comfortably, generate returns, and remain sustainable,” he recommends.

Gitu also highlights other bottlenecks, including erratic and expensive power despite the county’s geothermal potential, and poor connectivity that deters investors.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers representative Whitney Maina echoes many of Gitu’s concerns, adding that proper street lighting would go a long way in addressing part of the security challenge.

“With the expected construction of the Rironi–Mau Summit road, we have been asking Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to give us the design plans so we can understand the diversions, but we have not received them,” she says. “Early access to such plans would help businesses plan their logistics better and minimize disruptions.”

Her counterpart, the Chairperson of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Nakuru Chapter, Ruth Ndung’u, notes that access to financing and opportunities for women and youth remains limited, and calls for targeted policies and programs to bridge the gap and enable their full participation in the local economy.

Other business leaders mention corruption and the lack of policy continuity, with projects like the Itare Dam and Karai Fish Market—extensively covered by Mtaa Wangu—coming up as examples of stalled initiatives that have left communities without the promised benefits and investors uncertain about the county’s commitment to follow through.

The CS Kinyanjui acknowledges the issues raised and says his ministry will work with stakeholders to address them, promising follow-up engagements to ensure solutions are jointly developed.