Enigmatic Nakuru

Wanjala and his classmates are on a class trip to Nakuru County.  As the wheels of the bus go round and round getting closer to their destination an interesting discussion ensues. 

“I can’t wait to see Lake Naivasha once we get to Nakuru,” Wanjala says.

“Lake Naivasha is in Naivasha not Nakuru.” Atieno says.

“No, Lake Naivasha is in Nakuru.” Wanjala responds.

“I know how to solve this, let us check the Atlas,” Atieno says, pulling out an atlas from her bag.

The Atlas showed that Lake Naivasha sits outside of the town of Naivasha which is in Nakuru county. 

On hearing this conversation Ciiku adds to it.

“Did you know the original name of the county was Nakurro which means the place of dust devils,” Ciiku says.

“Are dust devils real devils?”Atieno asks in a scared voice.

“It’s not literal. During droughts, a lake called Nakurro would become so dry and dusty, the dust clouds that formed when the wind blew were what the people called  dust devils,” Ciiku explains.

“The only thing I know about Nakuru is the Mau Mau fighters who coined the phrase Mgeni aende ulaya Mwafrika apate uhuru.” Wanjala says.

“That’s right, the Aberdare Forest in Nakuru was home to the Mau Mau freedom fighters. Do you know what the phrase means” Atieno asks.

Wanjala explains that the freedom fighters wanted our British colonists to go back to their homes so that the Africans could get their freedom back.

“What I know about Nakuru is they have Kenya’s largest natural spa, it is AMAZING,” Atieno says.

Wanjala immediately challenges that no natural spas exist and that they are all designed by man. Another argument between the two begins.

This time, Atieno is right. The Olkaria Geothermal hot spa is a holiday destination, the largest of its kind in Africa. It heats naturally from the earth’s thermal energy and can hold up to 400 people.

“Okay, Miss Nakuru. You win. Wanjala resigns.

Before long they arrive in Nakuru and are ready to learn and see more Nakuru county sights.