Eveready roundabout: Once an iconic landmark, now a deadly black spot
A view of the Eveready roundabout in Nakuru.
Although the Eveready company closed down a few years ago, the Eveready name has lived on and the roundabout next to the defunct company has been christened "The Eveready Roundabout".
Sitting by the perimeter wall of what is now LAPFUND's development where Eveready once stood, you can see the hive of activity that is taking place in the area.
On one side of the roundabout, sugarcane vendors are busy selling chopped sugarcane to customers, while matatus are parked on the side of the road, waiting for passengers who may be coming from Kaptembwa.
On the other side, lorries and pick-ups can be seen coming from the side of the road that connects the roundabout to the industrial area - carrying what I can only guess are various industrial products from the many industries that are located there - as they join the main road to their various destinations.
The only thing that stands out are the men sitting under the trees watching the vehicles pass by on the motorway.
In recent years, this roundabout has become notorious for accidents and the trend seems to be increasing.
Pieces of braids remain where Eileen's body was found at the Eveready roundabout in Nakuru.
As recently as July 14, the death of Eileen Cherotich, which occurred on this roundabout, left many stunned at the extent of the atrocity. There have also been numerous robberies and muggings in the area.
A week earlier, on July 9, we saw a truck carrying watermelons crash into the newly constructed perimeter wall of the LAPFUND shopping centre.
Curious onlookers gaze at the wreckage of a truck that ran over a concrete wall of former Eveready Company in Nakuru Town on July 9, 2024 after its driver lost control when it developed a mechanical hitch. It was ferrying watermelons from Kampala in Uganda to Nairobi. Both the driver and the conductor escaped unhurt.
On December 31, 2023, an accident occurred at the same roundabout, killing seven people on the spot.
Jackson Ombewa, a resident of the area, tells us how the truck carrying watermelons rammed into the perimeter wall of the former Eveready Company.
"As far as I know, the accident happened in the early hours of the morning around 4am. Fortunately no lives were lost, only part of the perimeter wall was destroyed. This is not the first time this has happened. There have been many incidents where vehicles coming from the highway for one reason or another have crashed into this wall or worse still caused fatal accidents," he says.
Jackson Ombewa during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
According to Jackson, if measures were taken to reduce the carnage along this roundabout, everything would be fine.
Zachary Ongubo, a sugarcane vendor at the matatu terminus at this roundabout, agrees with Jackson's sentiments. For him, being a businessman in this place is all about safety.
"Around 7:30 pm, we have to close up shop because we fear for our safety, especially those who need to use the road leading to Kaptembwa. But this is the time when we have a peak because most of the people who go to Soilo, Ngata, come this way on their way home," he says.
Zachary Ongubo during an interview with Mtaa wangu.
He gives an example that leaves us shocked at the measures he has to take to stay safe.
"I remember a time when I was coming from Bondo and by the time we got to Nakuru it was late. I live in Kaptembwa and the easiest and fastest way for me to get there would have been to get off at the Eveready roundabout and then take the road to Kaptembwa. Due to security concerns, I had to go all the way to Kolen roundabout and take the long way to get to my house which is close to Kaptembwa police station," he said.
He noted that the security lights leading to Kaptembwa are regularly out of order, giving thieves the perfect cover to harass and steal from passers-by.
The roundabout remains a major landmark, especially for those still trying to find their way around Nakuru and its environs.