Lare Ward in Njoro Constituency: Area Facts, Property Market, and Infrastructure Development.
This comprehensive report explores Lare Ward in Njoro Constituency, Nakuru County, providing an in-depth analysis of the area’s geographical features, economic activities, property market trends, and recent infrastructure developments. The findings reveal that Lare is a predominantly rural ward currently experiencing significant water infrastructure improvements, with relatively affordable land prices compared to neighboring areas, and distinctive economic activities centered around agriculture and livestock rearing.
Geographical and Administrative Context.
Lare Ward is one of six wards within Njoro Sub-county, located in Nakuru County, Kenya. Administratively, Njoro Sub-county comprises six wards: Njoro, Lare, Kihingo, Mauche, Nessuit, and Mau-Narok. Lare forms part of the administrative divisions of Njoro, which includes four divisions, nine locations, and 27 sub-locations. The ward is characterized by its semi-arid landscape, receiving less than 100 cm of rainfall annually, which classifies the region as Semi-Arid Land (SAL).
The topography of the broader Njoro area is fascinating, with diverse geographical and ecological features. To the east lies Lake Nakuru National Park, a wetland of global significance; to the south and west is the Mau Catchment, a water tower of regional importance; and to the north is the dormant Menengai Crater, one of the largest craters globally after the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. This geographical positioning influences Lare’s climate and development patterns.
Unlike the more urbanized Njoro town, Lare exhibits predominantly rural characteristics with scattered settlements, limited accessibility, poor housing conditions, and lower population density. This rural nature shapes the socioeconomic activities and infrastructure development within the ward. The area’s development has been slower compared to the central Njoro town, largely due to historical infrastructure limitations and its distance from major urban centers.
Settlement Patterns and Housing.
Lare Ward displays typical rural settlement patterns with dispersed homesteads across the landscape. The housing situation in Lare reflects the broader challenges faced by rural areas in Njoro Sub-county. Most dwellings are of modest construction, with many homes built using locally available materials. The limited development of formal housing is partly attributed to the predominantly agricultural focus of the area and the historical underinvestment in infrastructure.
Unlike the more developed parts of Njoro town where lavish and medium-income dwellings with two to three bedrooms can be found in estates like Golf Estate, Jordan, and Umoja, Lare’s housing stock is considerably more modest. The housing challenges in Lare are similar to those faced in other rural wards in Njoro Sub-county, where limited access to modern building materials, inadequate infrastructure, and economic constraints have influenced housing development.
Economic Activities and Livelihood.
The economic landscape of Lare Ward is predominantly agricultural, with a special focus on livestock rearing. Cattle, sheep, and goat rearing constitute major occupations in the semi-arid areas of Lare, which is popular for ranching activities. This economic focus is closely tied to the area’s semi-arid climate and topographical characteristics.
While commercial agriculture involving wheat, barley, maize, vegetables, and cut flowers is practiced in other parts of Njoro Sub-county such as Njoro and Mau Narok locations, Lare’s agricultural activities are more focused on livestock due to its semi-arid conditions. The economic activities are fundamentally shaped by the available natural resources, climate conditions, and historical land use patterns.
The area’s economic development is constrained by several factors, including limited accessibility due to poor road infrastructure. During rainy seasons, the predominantly earth and murram roads become challenging to navigate, affecting the transportation of agricultural produce to markets. This infrastructure challenge directly impacts the economic potential of the area and limits opportunities for diversification beyond traditional agricultural activities.
Property Market Analysis: Land for Sale in Lare, Njoro - Land Prices in Lare.
The property market in Lare presents relatively affordable opportunities compared to more developed parts of Njoro Sub-county. Based on current listings, land prices in the Lare area show variation depending on location, size, and proximity to amenities:
- Small plots (50×100 feet) in Naishi-Lare are listed at approximately KSh 300,000 per plot.
- Larger parcels, such as a 1.5-acre plot in Kapymet, Njoro (approximately 2km from Elemetaita Mau-Narok road), are priced at KSh 1,100,000 per acre.
- A 600 square meter property in Lare is listed at KSh 1,766,000 (discounted from an original price of KSh 1,856,000)7.
These prices reflect the rural nature of Lare and its current stage of development. The property market in Lare is less developed compared to more urbanized areas like Njoro town, where property values are generally higher due to better infrastructure and proximity to amenities.
Land for Sale in Lare, Njoro: Comparative Property Market Context.
For contextual understanding, property prices in neighboring areas within Njoro Constituency show some variation:
- In Njoro town and surrounding areas, prices range from KSh 380,000 for plots at Kikapu (19km from Nakuru CBD) to KSh 700,000 for prime plots opposite KARI Njoro (1km from the tarmac from Njoro town to Egerton University).
- More premium locations, such as plots along Nakuru-Njoro highway (Rumwe), are priced at KSh 1,200,000, marketed as suitable for residential homes or commercial establishments.
- Larger agricultural lands in Njoro, such as a 10-acre parcel near Egerton University, are listed at KSh 6,000,000.
The comparative analysis shows that Lare’s property prices are generally lower than those in more developed parts of Njoro Constituency, reflecting differences in infrastructure development, accessibility, and proximity to key amenities.
Recent Infrastructure Development: Water Infrastructure Projects.
Lare Ward is currently benefitting from significant water infrastructure development initiatives. The Nakuru County government, under Governor Susan Kihika’s administration, has intensified efforts to address long-standing water shortages in the area. Recent developments include:
- The Karagoye Water Project: This ongoing initiative includes solar power installation and equipping of the borehole at Karagoye in Lare Ward. The project has an allocated budget of KSh 5,000,000 from the County Government of Nakuru (CGN) Counter Funding. Currently, the construction of a water kiosk is complete, with pending work including the installation of solar panels, mapping, and installation of piping.
- Broader Water Access Initiative: Over 9,000 residents of Lare and Soin Wards in Njoro and Rongai Sub-Counties are set to benefit from the ongoing construction of water infrastructure. This includes equipping boreholes, installing water kiosks, extensive pipeline laying, and solarization of the Karogoye and Kimamoi water projects.
- Climate Action Integration: These water projects form part of the broader Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) initiative, demonstrating the county’s commitment to integrating climate resilience into infrastructure development.
The recent handover of project sites to contractors marks a significant milestone in the water infrastructure development process. During a site visit on April 11, 2025, CECM Dr. Nelson Maara and Chief Officer for Environment Kennedy Mungai officially handed over project sites to contractors, signaling the commencement of the final phase of construction. This development represents a crucial step for residents who have historically faced challenges in accessing consistent and affordable water supply.
Road Infrastructure.
Road infrastructure in Lare, like most rural wards in Njoro Sub-county, faces significant challenges. The Sub-county has a total of 1,265 km of roads, with only 6% (85 km) having bitumen surface, while 660 km are murram and 520 km are earth tracks. All wards apart from Njoro town, including Lare, are characterized by limited accessibility due to poor road surface conditions.
This infrastructure limitation significantly impacts economic activities and daily life in Lare. During rainy seasons, many roads become impassable, affecting mobility and economic productivity. The poor road network constrains market access for agricultural produce, limits service delivery, and affects overall development potential.
While specific recent road projects in Lare are not detailed in the available information, the Nakuru County government has been implementing road infrastructure improvements across the county. Between 2021/22 and 2023/24, significant progress was made in road development, including:
- Grading of 1,642.09 km of roads and graveling of 1,014.86 km under contracted works county-wide.
- Under the Imarisha Barabara Programme, 1,675.84 km of roads were graded while 224.33 km were graded across the county.
- Construction of 47 motor-able footbridges county-wide.
These broader county initiatives likely include some improvements to Lare’s road infrastructure, though specific ward-level details are not provided in the available information.
Development Challenges and Future Prospects
Current Challenges.
Lare Ward faces several development challenges that influence both current conditions and future prospects:
- Water Scarcity: Despite ongoing water projects, residents have historically faced significant challenges in accessing clean and consistent water supply, often relying on unreliable water vendors.
- Limited Infrastructure: Poor road conditions, inadequate electricity supply, and limited access to basic services constrain development potential and quality of life.
- Climate Vulnerability: As a semi-arid area, Lare is vulnerable to climate change impacts, including drought and erratic rainfall patterns, affecting agricultural productivity..
- Economic Limitations: The predominantly agricultural economy offers limited diversification opportunities, potentially constraining income growth and economic resilience.
Development Prospects.
Despite these challenges, Lare Ward shows promising development prospects, particularly given recent infrastructure investments:
- Improved Water Access: The completion of ongoing water projects will significantly enhance access to clean water, improving health outcomes and potentially enabling more diverse agricultural activities.
- Climate Resilience: The integration of climate considerations into infrastructure development through initiatives like FLLoCA suggests a more sustainable development approach.
- Property Market Growth: As infrastructure improves, property values in Lare may appreciate, potentially attracting further investment in the area7.
- Agricultural Diversification: Enhanced water access could enable more diverse agricultural activities beyond traditional livestock rearing, potentially improving economic outcomes.
Local leadership, including Lare’s MCA Philip Wanjohi, has expressed optimism about the progress made under Governor Kihika’s administration, particularly regarding water infrastructure development. This political support, combined with ongoing investments, suggests positive development momentum for Lare Ward.
Conclusion
Lare Ward in Njoro Constituency presents a study in rural development dynamics, with significant challenges but also emerging opportunities. The predominantly agricultural economy, centered around livestock rearing, reflects its semi-arid landscape. Property prices remain relatively affordable compared to more developed parts of Njoro, potentially offering investment opportunities as infrastructure improvements progress.
The most notable recent development is the significant investment in water infrastructure, which promises to transform access to clean water for thousands of residents. While road infrastructure remains challenging, broader county initiatives suggest some improvements may be underway or forthcoming.
For potential investors or residents, Lare offers relatively affordable land prices with the prospect of appreciation as infrastructure improves. However, the rural nature, current infrastructure limitations, and climate vulnerabilities should be considered in any investment decision. For existing residents, the ongoing water projects represent a significant improvement in quality of life and may enable more diverse and productive economic activities.
As Lare continues to develop, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability will be crucial, particularly given its semi-arid conditions and climate vulnerabilities. The integration of climate considerations into current infrastructure projects suggests awareness of this need, potentially positioning Lare for more resilient and sustainable development in the coming years.
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