Naivasha: Nakuru County has set aside over Sh120 million to establish an ultra-modern disaster preparedness and response centre in Naivasha, an initiative expected to boost the region’s capacity to handle emergencies including fires and floods. The move comes after recent incidents of fire in the lakeside town and drowning cases around Lake Naivasha where lives had been lost and properties worth millions destroyed due to delay in response due to lack of fire engines.
According to Kenya News Agency, John Kihagi, the CECM for Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, stated that the funds would go towards new fire engines and ambulances at the centre, which will drive the county’s prompt disaster response operations. Speaking during a citizens’ forum attended by more than 300 stakeholders, Kihagi mentioned that the initiative was part of broader efforts to improve service delivery amid mounting population pressure on urban centres.
Kihagi highlighted that Naivasha had emerged as one of the best performing municipalities and had received Sh198 million from the World Bank, part of which Sh120 million will go towards the first phase of the disaster centre. He also noted that measures and infrastructure upgrades were underway in Naivasha, Gilgil, and Molo, which are already municipalities, alongside Mai Mahiu, Njoro, and Mau Narok, which are set to be soon upgraded to municipality status.
He emphasized the county’s focus on climate resilience, pointing out that the anticipated El-Nino rains had placed Nakuru on high alert, with measures put in place to address flood hazards. The county is banking on the second phase of the Kenya Urban Support Programme under World Bank funding for urban development, including the disaster centre, fire engines, and ambulances.
The CEC noted rising cases of drowning at Lake Naivasha, saying the new centre would strengthen emergency response around the lake. He remarked on the economic potential of KenGen Green Park and the Naivasha Mai Mahiu Special Economic Zone projects, which had positioned the region for prosperity with key natural resources driving development.
On solid waste management, Kihagi mentioned that the county was engaging investors on recycling initiatives to address disposal challenges, and added that the county would procure waste bins to improve the handling of waste generated within the region. He also discussed plans to expand satellite towns in Naivasha, noting that the county had made major progress on Naivasha’s resort city status and an updated sewer master plan to serve the growing population.
Kihagi further stated that each ward in the county was set to benefit from a county-funded stadium, with the Kihoto stadium already receiving funding from the national government to drive sports in the region. Simon Wakaba, a local youth leader, welcomed the move to develop Naivasha into a resort city, noting that it would open up opportunities for young people. However, he flagged persistent drainage challenges in the town and called for improved street lighting to address insecurity concerns.
Evans Chege, Chairman of the Naivasha Business Community, praised the county’s efforts, welcoming the disaster centre and the accompanying fire engines as a boost to disaster response in the town.
