New earth fissure triggers panic in London estate

For residents of London Ward, the fear of waking up to fissures in the ground has become an all-too-familiar reality.

Yesterday, a large sinkhole formed near Riva Petrol Station along the Nakuru-Kampi ya moto road, further intensifying concerns in the area.

Speaking to Mtaa Wangu by phone, resident Alex Mwangi recounts the moment he encountered the new sinkhole on his way to work.

“This has been a common occurrence in our area, and indeed, we always live in fear—not knowing where the next fissure will appear. A particularly large one formed near the Highridge area. Though there have been efforts to fill it with soil, it reopens every time there are heavy rains,” he says.

Mwangi attributed the recurring issue to poor drainage systems in the area and expressed hope for a lasting solution.

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara confirmed the incident, noting that similar cases have been reported in Nakuru over the past few years. He pointed to recent heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage as contributing factors.

“The London area primarily sits on weak ground, so road users should exercise caution. We’ve also seen similar incidents in Gilgil, including one that occurred on a farm. This suggests there are certain weak spots in parts of the county, and people need to be vigilant,” he says.

He also confirms that no injuries were reported following the incident. Police, along with officers from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), are on site to ensure public safety and enforce precautionary measures.

Benard Gatuso, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for London Ward, acknowledged ongoing complaints from the community regarding poor drainage.

“This is not the first time we are experiencing this. We had a similar issue in an area called SK, and also in Highridge. Currently, various authorities are on the ground managing the situation. Experts have been researching the issue, and we hope they will soon provide conclusive guidelines to help us move forward,” he concludes.

Last year we also saw fissures in Kaptembwa and Eveready area.