Although born in London, Michael Blundell who came to Kenya in 1925 was a core pillar in Nakuru through the 1940s to the 1970s.
Michael Blundell first worked as a farmhand in Solai where he later bought land and set his own farm. As a farmer, he was quite successful later serving as a Kenyan Minister for Agriculture and even wrote two books about wildflowers.
In 1948, Michael Blundell was elected to the Legco to represent sent Rift Valley. He was again re-elected in 1952 unopposed. It was in 1955 that he was first appointed as minister for Agriculture but was also reappointed in 1961 serving until 1962. He resigned from politics in 1962 and did not vie for the 1963 elections.
During his time as a politician and even after, Michael Blundell’s opinion in political matters was always highly valued. Although he entered politics with the sole intention of “<em>protecting white highlands and white privilege</em>” in Kenya, he was among the first to accept and accommodate African politicians. He was very instrumental in crafting the Lancaster constitution and brokering a deal between Kenyatta and the British.
After his resignation from politics, Sir Michael Blundell who was knighted by the British Government for his service to the queen became the Chairman of the Egerton Agricultural College. This was the predecessor to Egerton University and he served until 1972.
From 1951, Blundell was the chairman of the newly formed Nakuru Players Theater. He was not new in the entertainment scenes having owned the Electrical Theater (later renamed Eros Cinema) in Nakuru town. The theatre would not admit anyone else but white people leading to the founding of the Odeon Cinema by Umardin Karimbux.
In his active years, Blundell held many leadership and influential positions. In 1938, he was elected to the Coffee Board of Kenya. In 1949, he was appointed to the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya taking over the chairmanship the following year.
In 1964, he was appointed the chairman of the East African Breweries and shortly after the Uganda Breweries. He also found time to serve as the chairman of the Nairobi Hospital.
Apart from his two books on wildflowers, Michael Blundell in 1994 published his memoir titled “A Love Affair with the Sun.” There is also an autobiography published in 1964, “So Rough a Wind.”
Michael Blundell died of kidney failure in 1993 at his Nairobi home where he had settled after selling his Solai home. He’s survived by a daughter, Sussie.
One day, Umardin Karimbux, who built the Odeon Cinema Hall in Nakuru, was barred from accessing the only cinema hall in town for being an Asian. Back then, the cinema hall was only open to whites.
Angered by the incident, the young man, son of pioneer Indian Nakuru businessman Ibrahim Karimbux decided to put up a cinema that would serve all races. That is how Madil Karimbux house was out up and opened to operations in 1929. Today, the building is popularly known as Odeon Cinema, Nakuru.
The original hall was refurbished by Umardin’s son, Mohammed Karimbux in 1957. In was in the same year, Dahyabhal K. Patel who had gotten the franchise to run Odeon Cinema in East Africa took over the building and set up Nakuru’s Odeon Cinema.
Two years later, Dahyabhal sold the franchise but retained the Nakuru hall. He renamed it Odeon Theater.
The theatre changed hands several times over the years. Unfortunately, it operated only up to the mid-2000s and closed down leaving it a shell of its previous self.
But the light blue iconic building still stands strong. The UK logo for Umardin Karimbux can still be seen on the building and the original name of the building, Madil Karimbux, can still be seen.
In the recent past, the building was sold off to a church in Nakuru.
As one of the counties with a very high population, Nakuru County has also a high number of MCAs. Between 2013 to 2017, Nakuru County had 78 MCAs. 55 elected plus 23 nominated MCAs. In August 2014, nominated MCA Damaris Mbuthia died while in office. She was replaced by Justine Kihumba. The Nakuru County Assembly Speaker between 2013 to 2017 was Susan Kihika.
Here is a list of Nakuru County MCAs from 2013 to 2017.
Agnes Jerotich Salimu – Mariashoni Ward, Molo Constituency.
2. Benjamin Irungu Gitonga – Mau Narok Ward, Njoro Constituency.
3. Daniel Ambale Odindo – Kaptembwo Ward, Nakuru Town West Constituency.
4. Daniel Kamau Githengi – Shaabab Ward, Nakuru Town West Constituency.
5. David Kipkoech Malel – Tinet Ward, Kuresoi South Constituency.
6. Edward Gitau Kamau – Visoi Ward, Rongai Constituency.
7. Eunice Wambui Muriithi – Viwandani Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
8. Ezekiah Kungu Kariuki – Njoro Ward, Njoro Constituency.
9. Florence Wambui Njoroge – Elburgon Ward, Molo Constituency.
10. Francis Njoroge Njogu – London Ward, Nakuru Town West Constituency.
11. George Mwaura Njenga – Mosop Ward, Rongai Constituency.
12. Hillary Kibet Korir – Amalo Ward, Kuresoi South Constituency.
13. Hon. James Humphrey Mwaniki – Nakuru East Ward, Nakuru Town East Constituency.
14. James Kipkoros Tuei – Kiptagich Ward, Kuresoi North Constituency.
15. Jane Simita Munka – Mburuk/Eburu Ward, Gilgil Constituency.
16. Jane Wangui Ngugi – Gilgil Ward, Gilgil Constituency.
17. Joel Karuri Maina – Biashara Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
18. John Gathirwa Chege – Malewa West Ward, Gilgil Constituency.
19. John Machaira Gachiri – Rhoda Ward, Nakuru Town West Constituency.
20. John Njuguna Gicamu – Nyota Ward, Kuresoi North Constituency.
21. Jonathan Kuria Warothe – Hells gate Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
22. Joseph Korir Langat – Kapkures Ward, Nakuru Town West Constituency.
23. Joseph Mwangi Waithaka – Kabazi Ward, Subukia Constituency.
24. Joseph Ngugi Muigai – Molo Ward, Molo Constituency.
25. Joseph Ngware Nganga – Kamara Ward, Kuresoi North Constituency.
26. Kipnge’no Leonard Korir – Mauche Ward, Njoro Constituency.
27. Kiprop Symon Molock – Soin Ward, Rongai Constituency.
28. Leah Jepkoech Serem – Keringet Ward, Kuresoi South Constituency.
29. Lucy Nyambura Kihumba – Menengai West Ward, Rongai Constituency.
30. Michael Wangombe Ngeshu – Turi Ward, Molo Constituency.
31. Michael Macharia – Menengai Ward, Nakuru Town East Constituency. (Died in November 2018)
32. Monicah Wangari Gitau – Murindati Ward, Gilgil Constituency.
33. Moses Gichangi Njiiri – Flamingo Ward, Nakuru Town East Constituency.
34. Moses Ndungu Kamau – Elementaita Ward, Gilgil Constituency.
35. Mujinga Kariuki – Maiella Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
36. Newton Kabuu Wauthi – Lare Ward, Njoro Constituency.
37. Paul Kibet Chebor – Solai Ward, Rongai Constituency.
38. Paul Thuo Mwangi – Kabatini Ward, Bahati Constituency.
39. Peter Mureu Macharia – Sirikwa Ward, Kuresoi North Constituency.
40. Peter Nderitu Mwangi – Bahati Ward, Bahati Constituency.
41. Peter Njenga Kangethe – Waseges Ward, Subukia Constituency.
42. Peter Njoroge Muchiri – Subukia Ward, Subukia Constituency.
43. Peter Wanjala Manyonge Palang’a – Olkaria Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
44. Samuel Kamau – Kiamaina Ward, Bahati Constituency.
45. Samuel Kipkemoi Tonui – Nessuit Ward, Njoro Constituency.
46. Samuel Kiprono Ngeno – Kiptororo Ward, Kuresoi North Constituency.
47. Samuel Mwangi Kamau – Lanet/ Umoja Ward, Bahati Constituency.
48. Samuel Tirop – Baruti Ward, Nakuru Town West Constituency.
49. Samuel Waithuki Njane – Naivasha East Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
50. Simon Wanyoike Ngigi – Lakeview Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
51. Stephen Karanja Kiarie – Kihingo Ward, Njoro Constituency.
52. Stephen Kuria Muiruri – Biashara Ward, Nakuru Town East Constituency.
53. Stephen Ngethe Chege – Maai-Mahiu Ward, Naivasha Constituency.
54. Arch Stephen W. Kihara – Dundori Ward, Bahati Constituency.
55. Vitalis Otieno Okelo – Kivumbuni Ward, Nakuru Town East Constituency.
56. Joshua Wilson Muriithi – Nominated Nakuru West
57. Irene Chebichi Cheruiyot – Nominated Rongai
58. Trebina Gakii – Nominated Naivasha
59. Beatrice Nyawira Wambugu – Nominated Molo
60. Margaret Wanjiku Kiiru – Nominated Nakuru East Constituency.
61. Irene Njeri Paul – Nominated Rongai Constituency.
62. Gillian Jepkemoi Rotich – Nominated Rongai Constituency.
63. Virginia Wamaitha Gicanga – Nominated Naivasha Constituency.
64. Janet Wamaitha Mucheru – Nominated Subukia Constituency.
65. Catherine Njeri Waweru – Nominated Nakuru East Constituency.
66. Emma Wambui Mbugua – Nominated Bahati Constituency.
67. Esther Njeri Mangere – Nominated Naivasha Constituency.
68. Damaris Wangari Mbuthia – Nominated Nakuru East Constituency. (Died in August 2014 and was replaced by Jostine Kihumba)
69. Hawa Ibrahim Hassan – Nominated Nakuru West Constituency.
70. Ruth Cheptarus Sang – Nominated Nakuru West Constituency.
71. Penina Chepkemoi Sortum – Nominated Njoro Constituency.
72. Joseph Miangari – Nominated Njoro Constituency.
73. Rosemary Okemwa Kamau – Nominated Nakuru East Constituency.
After the 2017 elections, only five of the 78 MCAs found their way back to the County Assembly. Irene Chebichii, formally a nominated MCA was elected MCA for Soin ward.
Others who were re-elected are Moses (Musa) Ndung’u Kamau the current Majority leader, Peter Palang’a of Ol’Karia ward who is the minority leader. Others are Nessuit MCA Samuel Tonui “Chonjo” who is the Deputy Speaker and Tinet MCA.
Hon. Dixon Kihika Kimani being sworn as MP representing Bahati North in November 1974. Kihika Kimani had been elected on a KANU ticket and served until 1979. He, however, was to leave KANU after Moi took over as president saying he “found it rough.”
The 1974 elections had been on 14 October 1974. Kenya was a de facto one-party state at that time with the Kenya African National Union (KANU) being the only political party to participate in the election.
Kihika Kimani being sworn in as MP for Nakuru North on November 6 1974
Having joined the Democratic Party (DP) led by former president Mwai Kibaki, he was reelected in 1992 to represent the people of Laikipia West Constituency.
He was elected for his final term in 1997 this time in Molo Constituency. He died in 2004.
The late Kihika Kimani is the father of the second Nakuru County Senator, Hon. Susan Kihika. He holds a record of having been elected in three different constituencies.
