This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
Located in the heart of the Great Rift Valley, Nakuru is a region prone to geological instability, with a history of tectonic and volcanic activities.
According to geologists, the county's soil is unconsolidated due to past eruptions from the Menengai Crater, making it unable to sustain heavy weights.
Despite this, dozens of new buildings with as many as 12 levels are being constructed in the county, sparking fears among residents and experts.
Heavy rains in the past three days have resulted in a gaping fault line that has cut across roads in Nakuru West Sub-County, prompting Governor Lee Kinyanjui to call on investors to 'brace themselves' for tougher measures.
"We will ensure that people move away from all structures that are on the path of the fault lines after the studies are carried out," said Governor Kinyanjui.
Geologists from the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) and Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) have been engaged to carry out studies in the affected areas.
Eng. Paul Njoroge, a geologist at GDC, warned that the Rift Valley region is still prone to volcanicity and that the forces of the earth are the strongest at the base of the valley.
Former Civic leader at the defunct Municipal Council of Nakuru, William Ating'a, said the Building and Construction Standards and Codes (BCSC) had taken into account the region's geological weaknesses when setting building height limits.
"Nakuru is highly vulnerable to subsidence, landslides, earthquakes, and related disasters," he said.
