Nakuru is home to about 1.6 million people according to the 2009 census. This is about 4.15 per cent of the total population.
Kenya's annual population growth rate is about 2.64 per cent, while that of Nakuru is estimated at 3.5 per cent.
There was a period when you could almost count people in town at any given time but those days are long gone. The once quiet lifeless town is full of life and people.
It is no secret that Nakuru's population is growing at a very high rate. Proof of this is the increased number of people on the streets.
Hardly a day goes by without seeing one or two expectant mothers. As a result of this, mild traffic jams have become a common site in the early mornings and evenings.
This is because of the increased number of vehicles on our roads. Congestion in public hospitals is nothing new, too.
Recently the Nakuru North Cemetery was closed because it had reached its limit. Our deceased are now being laid to rest in the Nakuru South Cemetery.
This goes further to prove that our population is swelling. It is quite evident that the initial planning of Nakuru didn't factor in such a high population hence the need to go back to the drawing board.
In order to avoid an occurrence of the legendary Nairobi jam our roads, they should be expanded to accommodate the ever rising number of vehicles.
The government could also look into replacing the 14-seater matatus with those that have a larger capacity to reduce congestion on the roads.
Social amenities such as hospitals should also be expanded to ensure quick and better service delivery to all.
The population will ever increase;that's unavoidable and to some degree out of our control.
Making adjustments is however within our control and it is up to our leaders to make the necessary changes so as to avoid bigger problems in the future.