Location
Naivasha is a market town North West of Nairobi on the shore of Lake Naivasha and part of the Nakuru County. It is located at 0° 43′ 0″ S, 36° 26′ 0″ E which is 2084m above sea level. Naivasha is 76 km from Nairobi, 63 km from Nakuru and 516 km from Mombasa.
History
The original name of Naivasha was from the Maasai; “Nai’posha” which means “Rough Water”. It was used to refer to the frequent storms that would frequent Lake Naivasha. The name ‘Naivasha’ therefore is colonial misinterpretation of ‘Nai’posha.’ The area around the town was one of the first to be settled by white people and one of the hunting grounds of the hedonistic ‘Happy Valley’ set. In fact Delamere Estates, originally owned by the eccentric Lord Delamere, surrounds the town.
Population
Naivasha has a population of about 158,679 people according to the 2009 Census of Kenya.
Transport
Transport in Naivasha can be by road or air. There are minibuse taxis (matatus), cars for hire and buses. The main highway continues from Naivasha to Nakuru. The nearest major airport is Nakuru Airport which is 63 km from the center of Naivasha, Kenya. Naivasha airstrip at Karagite however stopped operations 10 years ago. Air Kenya is set on rehabilitating it in a bid to improve tourism and flower exports.
Administration
Nakuru County has 16 administrative divisions that include;
- Bahati
- Elburgon
- Gilgil
- Kamara
- Keringet
- Kuresoi
- Lare
- Mauche
- Mau Narok
- Mbogoini
- Molo
- Naivasha
- Nakuru Municipal
- Njoro
- Olenguruone
- Rongai
Nakuru County is headed by Governor, Kinuthia Mbugua.
Lake Naivasha
Lake Naivasha is a freshwater lake located south west of Naivasha town at the highest elevation of the Kenyan Rift valley, 1,884 metres. The lake is fed by the perennial Malewa and Gilgil rivers but it has no visible outlet. It is assumed to have an underground outflow. Lake Naivasha has a healthy fish population including Black bass, Tilapia and Crayfish which attract a variety of fish-eating birds such as Long-tailed and Great Cormorants, along with Fish Eagles, Pelicans, and various types of Kingfishers.
The information under Naivasha town is summarized below;