Poor planning or negligence? Why electricity poles are left in the middle of freshly laid tarmac in Nakuru
A car giving a lorry space to pass due to the electricity pole that is on the road on May 7,2025.
It is a scene most Nakuru residents thought they would never see again, especially since the last time the embarrassing sight cast the county government in a bad light.
But a year later, Lanet residents are the latest victims.
The spotlight is on a newly tarmacked road that has left Lanet residents in agony because of electricity poles erected in the middle of the road.
The poles make it almost impossible for vehicles to navigate the road safely, as motorists come across them at various points.
This forces drivers to stop and give way to each other in a dangerous game of manoeuvring.
Tragically, in the midst of this dangerous situation, a boda boda driver lost his life in an accident while trying to avoid hitting a vehicle but instead hit one of the poles.
Anthony Kamau, the Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Nakuru East, says the incident was most unfortunate. Mr Kamau also claims to have raised the issue with the area's Member of Parliament, David Gikaria.
"I am aware of the situation and it is very unfortunate. Sometimes when roads are being constructed there is a push and pull between different authorities - in this case the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and Kenya Power," he says.
The road in question is a vital piece of infrastructure that connects different parts of Lanet.
Mtaa Wangu has independently confirmed that the road falls under the jurisdiction of KeRRA. Our research uncovered a tender document for the Routine Maintenance and Spot Improvement of G77679 Lanet-Posta-Umoja 2 (Section 1).
A source from KeRRA admitted that there have had persistent problems with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) on such issues.
"The problem is that KPLC puts their poles on road reserves and we don't have the funds to move them. When we ask them to move the poles, they demand payment and that has been the ongoing problem," the source explains.
To mitigate the risk, the parastatal says it will implement temporary safety measures, such as placing reflective materials on the poles to improve visibility, while it continues discussions with KPLC.
"In the last financial year, we completed the base works. This year we're doing the surfacing. We are aware of the problem and are concerned about the safety of residents. We're hoping for a positive outcome. However, if KPLC is unable or unwilling to move the poles, the authority may be forced to pay for their relocation," the source adds.