Kihika, KURA Agree to Plant Trees Along Nakuru’s Oginga Odinga Avenue

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and officials from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) have committed to planting trees along Oginga Odinga Avenue as road improvement works continue in the city.

The commitment comes amid public concern over the removal of mature jacaranda trees along the road to pave the way for expansion works.

The tree-cutting exercise sparked criticism from residents who raised concerns about the loss of shade and greenery that have long formed part of Nakuru’s identity.

Kihika has previously said her administration intervened after KURA cut trees without obtaining the required county approval. She maintained that any further tree removal should only take place where necessary and with the county’s clearance.

The governor’s latest engagement with KURA officials signals efforts to address environmental concerns while allowing infrastructure development to proceed.

Oginga Odinga Avenue is among the roads being upgraded by KURA to improve traffic movement, pedestrian access and drainage in Nakuru City.

The project includes plans to expand the road into a dual carriageway, improve walkways and install drainage systems. The works are expected to help ease congestion along the busy route.

However, the removal of mature trees has raised questions about how road construction can be balanced with environmental conservation.

Residents have called for replacement planting and better protection of the city’s green spaces, noting that young seedlings take years to provide the shade and environmental benefits offered by mature trees.

KURA has previously indicated that trees affected by the expansion would be replaced after construction. The authority has also said the road project is intended to improve access and accommodate growing traffic in the city.

Nakuru has been pursuing environmental conservation programmes, including tree planting in public spaces, schools, road reserves and water catchment areas.

The county government reported in July 2026 that more than 4.2 million trees had been planted across the county since 2022, through its own programmes and partnerships.

The latest commitment along Oginga Odinga Avenue is expected to draw attention to how the agencies implement replacement planting and protect the new trees as road works continue.

For residents, the key concern remains ensuring that Nakuru’s development does not come at the expense of its urban greenery.

source:https://x.com/Kenyans/status/2117601075037634601?a=Mli6u0sCQ9gtvWAQgYk&s=20

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