Nakuru County government on Monday May 22, announced plans to renovate historic town hall in Nakuru where first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta met with white settlers, four months before Kenya became independent.
Nakuru old town hall that was located along Kenyatta Avenue was completed in 1945.
Governor Susan Kihika’s administration announced plans to renovate the hall after the roof started collapsing and falling off as from 2022.
The old town hall building as from 1947 to 1966, served as the chambers of the defunct town municipality’s mayor and venue for leaders’ meeting.
Four months before Kenya became independent, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta chose the Nakuru town as a venue for a meeting with white settlers.
He drove to Nakuru by then to make a political decision to save the country from economic crisis after having discussions with white settlers.
Nakuru City Manager Gitau Thabanja noted that the old town hall was gazetted as a historical site.
Gitau added that the hall that was very useful during the colonial days was closed for renovation after a budget was approved for the same.
“The Nakuru City Board has budgeted for the renovation that will commence with immediate effect and we are committed to the preservation and restoration of our heritage,” he stated.
Details of Mzee Kenyatta’s meeting at the town hall remained unclear but it was associated with pushing the agenda for Kenya’s independence.
According to the 95-year-old Kimunya Kamana, a former Nakuru Mayor, the Hall was used by the first President, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to sign a treaty with British Colonialists in 1963.
“Kenyatta assured the colonialists that they were free to live in Kenya without any harassment and urged them not to fear,” stated Kamana.
Nakuru City Board Vice Chairperson Jepta Rono explained that the renovation works will involve roofing, flooring and interior works.
Rono added that the county expects to gain from the positive impact of the renovated town hall in the tourism sector.
“If this hall is properly maintained and renovated, it can attract tourists and in that way generate revenue from visitors,” narrated Rono.
Rono expressed concern over the rate at which old buildings were being demolished in Nakuru city to pave way for establishing modern sky-scrappers at the expense of erasing the history of the city.
“What many people don’t know is that these old buildings represent an irreplaceable heritage that is an important legacy of the present and future generations,” he stated.
