Renovation on the Old Town Hall in Nakuru City is nearing completion, with residents warming up to its reopening, to serve as a one-stop information centre for the county.
The city residents expressed their wishes to have the monumental hall serve as a resource centre, fully equipped with a library section that will serve as a source of vital information on development projects.
“We propose to have the School of Devolution stationed at the old town hall to serve as a one-stop shop for information. This is where the residents can receive civic education on a daily basis, with officers from various devolved units on standby every day to inform the public,” noted Peter Reremoi.
The historical monument is being renovated by the County Government of Nakuru. The building had previously been designated as a national monument and was closed to the public to undergo preservation and restoration before its roof collapsed.
“The scope of the renovation project has been comprehensive, encompassing essential aspects of the building’s structure and interior spaces. Notable areas of focus have included repairing the roof, timber windows, and doors, as well as the installation of an acoustic ceiling and timber flooring. These upgrades will ensure that the town hall is better equipped to serve the diverse needs of the community,” noted City Manager Gitau Thabanja.
Thabanja said that the hall will also serve as a free venue for public participation forums, noting that the department envisaged a situation where they would frequently engage with the residents to make the city a better place to live and carry out businesses.
The hall is regarded as a historic building, with the First President of Kenya, the late Jomo Kenyatta, said to have signed a treaty with British colonists there.
Once the refurbishment is finished, the hall will serve as a valuable venue for local residents to host events and meetings.
To prevent future incidents, the renovated building has been equipped with strong foundations to ensure the project meets the required quality standards to withstand harsh weather conditions.
As the remaining work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, anticipation grows for the unveiling of the revitalised town hall, poised to become a central hub for community events and public engagements.
By Anne Sabuni and Samuel Karanja
