My Hood: Tracing the birth of Barnabas estate
Mwanzo shop was one of the first shops in Barnabas centre.
When the new Nakuru-Nairobi Highway was being laid during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s regime, no one knew it would lead to the fast growing ‘Barnabas’.
The road would later be rehabilitated during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
Initially, those travelling to Nairobi from Nakuru would use the old Nakuru-Nairobi road that does not pass through Barnabas and will only join the main route somewhere near Gilgil.
However, with the construction of the new Nakuru-Nairobi Road through Barnabas, the dusty centre started tapping into the potential of expanding as more people began establishing their businesses here.
Mtaa Wangu visited Barnabas Centre where we met Erastus Maina commonly referred to as MC Maina Nyaituga by the locals.
Erastus Maina during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on October 10, 2023.
He admits that indeed without the new Nakuru-Nairobi Highway then Barnabas Centre could not be where it is now in terms of development.
Maina who runs his businesses in the centre reveals to Mtaa Wangu that the centre received the Bible affiliated name ‘Barnabas’ from an old man named Barnabas who owned one of the first shops in the area.
The old man whom locals say died around 1999, was also christened ‘Babu’ by locals and behind his shop that is currently called ‘Mwanzo Shop’ was some makuti structures where one could rest.
He adds that the centre was once an open area with no structures such that one could see vehicles plying the Old Nairobi Road just behind the centre.
However, with the continued development, the centre has attracted a population of up to 300,000 people majority of whom are business persons.
Interestingly, majority of the senior locals in Barnabas area trace their ancestral home to Kiambu county, perhaps the reason why after buying land and settling in the area, it gave birth to what is called Muguga Sub location.
Maina is however quick to note that even with the name ‘Muguga’ in place, Barnabas has remained rubber-stamped on the lips of locals and that can never change.
Barnabs centre.
The centre has two IEBC polling stations; St.Barnabas Polling station and Muguga polling station for Gilgil and Nakuru East sub counties respectively.
But did you know, this is the only hood that has no public land that could lead to the construction of public amenities such as schools and hospitals?
The only public schools are Mirugi Kariuki and Nairobi Road Primary schools which are some distance from the centre forcing some parents to take their children to some nearby private schools that are pocket friendly.
For health services, locals here have to travel to Mirugi Kariuki Sub County Hospital or Free area.
Raphael Mogire- a resident and bodaboda operator at Barnabas Centre since 2014 on his part calling on all elected leaders to play their part and ensure the feeder roads within the centre are well done to ensure they incur no loss.
“The feeder roads for instance heading to Batimore, ADP and Deliverance area, there should be a need for rehabilitation,” he says.
Sentiments echoed by Stephen Kahura who is the coordinator of all the bodaboda operators at Barnabas.
Stephene Kahura, a bodaboda operator during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on October 10, 2023.
He admits that the area MP David Gikaria has tried to erect the street lights but the rehabilitation of the feeder roads is key.
The bodaboda official in equal measure faults the political leaders for failing to ensure their centre has a proper market that would also contribute value addition.
“We have no market in this area. The only market that had been proposed was to be at an area called Pakawa which is very far from this Highway and it has never worked,” he says.
Peter Mwaura-a business person at the centre on his part reveals that the centre has another shame of lack of public toilets despite the huge population.
Peter Mwaura during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on October 10, 2023.
He says the officers from public health should ensure there is a public toilet in the area and the Kenya National Highways Authority should also erect a foot bridge to ensure safety for the young people who use the busy road.
“This is a centre that should not be ignored as it contributes a lot to the economy of Nakuru county,” says Mwaura.
Despite all these challenges, the area remains prime as a 50 by 100 plot that used to cost around Sh 100,000 has shot to Sh 4 million and above.
A spot check, revealed several hotels coming up as well as supermarkets in what locals say it has seen 24-hour business operation due to improved security, thanks to the nearby Mwariki Police Station.