Rift in the City: Fissures and sinkholes rooted in Nakuru's past
A fissure that developed in upper London estate in June 2024.
It all started over 1,000 years ago with the volcanic activities at Menengai Crater.
More than a millennium later, the effect of this catastrophic events are still seen and felt in Nakuru.
Most of us growing up in Nakuru would hear that the city sits on very unstable ground but we were never able to understand what that means.
However, in the past several months we have witnessed numerous sink holes and huge fissures that have left many relocating from their homes.
According to various news reports, this is not the first time this freaks of nature are appearing in Nakuru.
In an article on Nation. Africa, sinkholes have been reported several times before.
"A sinkhole was reported in 1972 and 1981 at the roundabout near O’Jais Petrol Station. In addition to this, after El Nino rainfalls of 1997, sinkholes appeared in London Estate. In 2004, a similar incident occurred at TimSales Compound and Timber Mill Road,” reads the article in part.
Christine Wambui who has been a resident in Koinange estate in Nakuru since 1989 says that it is public knowledge the city sits on unstable soil structure and fault lines that were caused by volcanic activity.
Christine Wambui, a resident in Koinange estate in Nakuru.
"I remember during those times people used to be very sceptical of where they would build their homes to avoid sink holes and fissures," she says.
She adds that then, people used to take extra precaution when constructing their houses.
"I remember when putting the foundation to my house we really had to reinforce the foundation by digging deeper than usual and using steel," she recalls.
Wambui says she remembers the incident that occurred in Timsales Compound in 2004 near Total roundabout past Kolen stage, terming it catastrophic.
"There was a very huge sink hole at that compound which in turn adversely affected the businesses around it including a hotel that was operating then. The owner had to shut it down."
Fast forward to now when you pass by the round you get to see well put up structures and business is going on as normal.
Just a few kilometres from Christine's home we come face to face with Koinange Primary School. Outside this school, in 2020, a large hole emerged on the road causing cracks on the school’s fence.
Four years later, the large gaping hole has been filled by rubbles and the tarmac that had collapsed now repaired as though nothing ever happened.
The road outside Koinange primary school where a huge hole had developed has now been filled with boulders.
Despite the repairs on this road, Mtaa Wangu learns that residents still live in fear.
According to Ondolo David who is a boda boda rider at Koinange stage, that sinkhole changed the lives of residents and businesses around.
Ondolo David, a boda boda rider at Koinange stage.
"Most of those who lived in the adjacent houses which are rental moved and now the once bustling business centre has become dormant as the kiosks around shut down as well," he notes.
Even though the ground has been completely covered you can still spot some cracks on some of the perimeter walls, an indication of the scars of past traumas.