A aerial view of a section of Barnabas township in Nakuru City on February 24, 2026.
About 10 kilometres from Nakuru City’s Central Business District, along the busy Nakuru–Nairobi highway, is the fast-growing Barnabas township.
Once a vast dusty stretch of land, Barnabas has transformed into a thriving commercial hub with its surrounding neighbourhood emerging as a real estate hotspot dotted with modern, attractive homes including apartments, posh maisonettes and bungalows.
Over the years, Barnabas has evolved from a sparsely populated outpost into a bustling 24-hour commercial centre, strategically positioned as the gateway to Nakuru City from Nairobi. Much like Westlands serves as an entry point to Nairobi, Barnabas located in Nakuru East Constituency has become Nakuru’s equivalent.
Barnabas has evolved from a sparsely populated outpost into a bustling 24-hour commercial centre.
Today, the rapidly developing township stands as a high-end commercial and residential hub. Unlike Nakuru City which slows down after dark, Barnabas operates virtually round the clock thanks largely to street lighting along the busy highway that keeps businesses running deep into the night.
A spot check reveals several modern hotels and restaurants coming up alongside shopping malls, supermarkets, M-Pesa outlets, bank agents and numerous other businesses. The area also enjoys enhanced security due to its proximity to Mwariki Police Station.
However, as a popular pit stop for truck drivers who park along the roadside, the area has also attracted commercial sex workers seeking clients. According to residents, the once dusty centre has blossomed steadily over the years.
“Barnabas centre was once just an open area with no structures. However, with continued development including the construction of the Nairobi–Nakuru highway the centre has attracted many Kenyans, most of whom are business people,” says Erastus Maina, a trader.
“From a quiet outpost, Barnabas is now a commercial hub and a prime location for real estate investors and one of the most sought-after urban areas in Nakuru,” he adds.
Buoyed by rising demand for housing in Nakuru City, the township has become a preferred destination for real estate investors. Initially regarded as a middle-income suburb, the area is now witnessing a boom in the construction of modern apartments, bungalows and maisonettes.
It is increasingly described as a ‘new money’ hub away from Nakuru’s traditional posh estates.
A aerial view of a section of Barnabas township in Nakuru City on February 24, 2026.
David Ngugi, a real estate developer, attributes Barnabas’ growth to its proximity to the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) depot in nearby Pipeline township.
“Barnabas is close to Pipeline, which hosts the Kenya Pipeline Company depot. That partly explains the rise of Barnabas centre and its neighbourhood. It serves as a gateway to Nakuru City, but most importantly, it is a preferred destination for those seeking a modern lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of town. The area offers a blend of suburban serenity and proximity to quality infrastructure,” explains Mr Ngugi.
Experience faster growth
“Easy access to key social amenities such as schools and hospitals also makes it a favourite destination for many,” he adds.
According to Mr Ngugi, property prices have risen sharply over the years. A 50x100 plot that once sold for about Sh100,000 now goes for between Sh2 million and Sh4 million depending on location.
A many building under construction in Barnabas. The township has become a preferred destination for real estate investors.
“A couple of years back, Barnabas was little known. It was nothing more than a vast piece of land sandwiched between Pipeline Estate near KPC depot and the Nairobi–Nakuru highway. But the area has grown tremendously. It is a case study of rapid development without formal planning,” he notes.
The area was named after an elderly man known simply as Barnabas or “Babu,” who operated one of the first shops in the locality. His shop, located at what is now known as Barnabas Centre, is currently referred to as Mwanzo Shop.
Behind the shop once stood makuti structures where travellers could rest.
“He is the one who had the land subdivided and sold to investors and speculators. Within a short time, the place grew from small buildings to its current status and it is still expanding,” says Peter Mwangi, a resident who runs an M-Pesa shop at the centre.
Barnabas is said to have died around 1999 but his name remains firmly embedded in the identity of the area.
Interestingly, many of the senior residents trace their ancestral roots to Kiambu County possibly explaining the emergence of a sub-location named Muguga. However, despite the official naming, “Barnabas” remains the dominant and widely recognised name.
Raphael Mogire, a resident and boda boda operator at Barnabas Centre since 2014 says that despite the visible development, poor feeder roads remain a major challenge.
A new petrol station and a stopover at Barnabas township in Nakuru City on February 24, 2026.
“The feeder roads heading to Batimore and Deliverance areas need rehabilitation. Our leaders need to address this to further open up the area,” he says.
While acknowledging efforts by area MP David Gikaria to install street lights in parts of the township, Stephen Kahura who is the coordinator of boda boda operators at Barnabas insists that road rehabilitation is critical.
He also faults political leaders for failing to establish a proper market at the centre.
“We have no market in this area. The only one that had been proposed was at Pakawa, which is far from the highway, and it has never taken off. This is a centre that should not be ignored, as it contributes significantly to the economy of Nakuru County,” he says.
With the ongoing upgrade of the Nairobi–Nakuru–Mau Summit highway, residents expect Barnabas township to experience even faster growth in the coming years.
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