Rift Valley is the largest province in Kenya with 14 counties namely; Baringo county, Bomet county, Elgeyo Marakwet county, Kajiado county, Kericho county, Laikipia county, Nakuru county, Nandi county, Narok county, Samburu county, Trans Nzoia county, Turkana county, Uasin Gishu county and West Pokot county. Nakuru town is the provincial headquarters. Nakuru's fame is historical and grew from its having been the unofficial headquarters of Kenya's historic white settlers.

The town was a convenient stop for railway activities after descent into the Rift Valley. Its growth starts from 1900 and it rapidly grew to become the administrative, commercial, political, industrial and agricultural hub of the white farmers. Naturally, it derives its dominant role and influence on the country from its rich surrounding agricultural land which was so magnificently developed by the white settlers by the time of Kenya's independence.

Situated at the foot of the dormant Menengai Volcanic Pile, the town is surrounded by attractive scenery which include the alkaline Lake Nakuru and its famous Nakuru National Park - a bird sanctuary of more than 400 species of birds (mostly Flamingoes). Its industrial and commercial sector is appropriately agriculture and chemical-based with blankets, dry cells, flour milling and dairying (and related products), as the main ones.

Nakuru's main limitation for future expansion include the nature of the underlying rocks (soft volcanic ashes) which cannot take high buildings as well as the resultant dust during dry season (Nakuru means 'white dust' in Maasai).