Why Nakuru city still lacks traffic lights
Traffic at the Pinkam Roundabout on April 17, 2025.
As the National Drama Festivals came to a close with a grand gala at Nakuru's State House, another kind of drama was playing out on the city's roads - this time in the form of long, frustrating traffic.
For almost two weeks, Nakuru hosted hundreds of schools for the national event, and while performances entertained crowds across the city, traffic outside the venues stole the spotlight.
Traffic became so bad that Mtaa Wangu, stepped in to guide residents with alternative routes to ease the gridlock on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway.
This sparked a wider online conversation, with one resident asking a key question on a WhatsApp group: "Why don't we have traffic lights in town?"
The junction at the Posta offices where traffic lights were once installed.
Peter Kamau, a boda boda rider near Tower One and the Posta offices, remembers a time when traffic lights were an integral part of Nakuru.
"In the late 90s, the junction near the governor's office and Midlands Hotel was the only traffic light in town," he recalls. "As kids, we'd go and watch them change. It was quite a sight."
But over the years, frequent accidents damaged the lights and maintenance was eventually abandoned.
"I can't remember exactly when they disappeared," he adds, "but by the time devolution came in, they were gone."
As Nakuru's population grew, so did the vehicles - and the traffic.
"This is a growing city," he says. "We need modern solutions like traffic lights to restore order."
Matatu driver Bosire Charles, who plies the Ngata route, agrees.
"There are a lot more vehicles in the city now. The police do their best, but they're not always there. Automated traffic lights would make a big difference - especially if backed up by enforcement," he says.
Gitau Thabanja, Nakuru City Manager during an interview with Mtaa Wangu on April 2, 2025.
Gitau Thabanja, Nakuru City Manager, confirms that installation of traffic lights is in process and has been included in this years county budget.
"We have mapped out several high-traffic areas, including Oginga Odinga Road, Pinkam Roundabout and Posta Junction, to name a few. We will include the installation of traffic lights in this year's budget," he says.