Kanu Street in Nakuru: Where Bars Outnumber Churches

In Nakuru County, Kanu Street is renowned for having more bars than churches. For someone visiting this area for the first time, it’s a surprise to see the sunrise feeling like morning—a new day beginning.

What you may not know is that a daily commotion occurs here, especially on Sundays when preachers clash with bar owners, each vying for respect. Often, worship continues on one side while the bars are bustling as usual, making it challenging for the faithful to concentrate in church.

Kanu Street gets its name from the ruling Kanu party, which governed Kenya for four decades before being ousted by the National Rainbow Alliance Coalition in the 2002 general elections.

Read also:Late Nakuru Tycoon awarded his driver with Sh1 Billion Estate Asset

Upon arriving in this area, you’d be astonished by the abundance of bars compared to churches. Wilbar Omondi, who has been selling newspapers here for seven years, suggests that this might be the longest street in East Africa.

Newsline.co.ke  has also noted that Kanu Street boasts over 200 bars that serve customers day and night, earning it the title of a 24-hour economy hub.

Additionally, it’s a place where many public servants seek solace during the day, given its tranquility and distance from the noise of Nakuru city.

When we inquired about why Nakuru residents enjoy visiting Kanu Street, we were informed that entertainment here is affordable.

“For instance, a customer can get a decent room for just Sh200, and the alcohol here is not expensive,” says Mr. Omondi.

Newsline.co.ke has also learned that some of the bar and club owners in this area are police officers, thus listing these establishments as part of their income sources.