My Hood: The perfect address, but bring your own water
Zaburi centre in Kiamunyi estate has grown into a one-stop shopping centre over the years.
Kiamunyi estate has grown exponentially over the years due to its nearness to Nakuru city, now harbouring roughly 70,000 people.
Kiamunyi's Nyumba Kumi representative Mr. Evans Orina who has lived in the estate for 32 years now tells us that he has seen the estate develop exponentially in the time he has been here.
Mr. Evans Orina during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on 13th March 2024.
" I remember a time when you could stand at Olive and you would be able to see the silos on the other end. Now, the area is developing with commercial buildings coming up," he says.
Orina says that the one main thing that makes this area unique is the availability of one stop shopping centres like Zaburi shopping centre and Olive Inn.
A view of the silos from Kiamunyi.
With these centres, residents no longer have a need to go to Nakuru city centre for shopping.
The estate also boasts of having highly acclaimed public schools and a police station.
A section of the well tarmacked road that cuts through Kiamunyi estate.
When asked what makes Kiamunyi stand Orina smiles and says it's the diversity in culture that makes it unique.
In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Mr Evans says that a quarter acre of land would go for sh. 20,000. Now, a quarter acre especially near the highway goes for not less that sh. 20 million. As you move to the interior the land becomes cheaper going for Sh. 5-7 million.
Some of the apartments coming up in Kiamunyi estate.
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment is Sh. 10,000 depending on the apartment layout and its accessibility to the main roads.
However, the one thing that continues to distort Kiamunyi’s beautiful image is the issue of water.
Orina recalls how some fifteen years back, the estate had a constant supply of water but as of now the taps have run dry making the residents constantly depend on rain water and privately-owned water bowsers.
Kiamunyi residents largely depend on water bowsers as the area suffers from water shortage.
"It is always very costly to buy water from these water companies and the water which they provide is salty therefore not the best at times."
Another issue is the sewer system. There are so many high raise apartments coming up in the area and digging down a septic tank is not sufficient because after a month or two, it fills up. Therefore, the issue of water and a proper sewage system will go a long way.
With the ever growing population in Nakuru, Kiamunyi gives great promise for those who may want to invest in real estate and commercial spaces.