In the colonial days, the area attracted white settlers who successfully began to exploit its agricultural potential.
The County Council of Nakuru was established in 1974 as one of the Local authorities of Kenya charged with the responsibility of providing social services to its residents.
At the time of Independence in 1963, it was realized that building a County Hall with offices was essential for a more economic and effective control of the new administrative and technical organization.
Plans were approved and realized, and the County Hall was officially opened on 23 October 1967 by the First President of Kenya, His Excellency Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
The boundaries were established at Mau Summit, Olenguruone, Kiptunga, Tipis, Lengatua, Ole-Kurto, Maiela, Milili, Suswa, Kijabe (bordering Kiambu), Keriton Hill (bordering Nyandarua), National Youth Service Karunga Hill (Gilgil), Gitare Centre, Kariandusi, Kasambara, Ngorika, Dundori Centre, Equator (next to Laikipia), Mbogoine, Lower Solai, Kisanana, Mogotio (Molo River boundary), Makutano, and Ndoinet.
The main food crops produced include maize, beans, Irish potatoes and wheat.
The types of fruits and vegetables grown are tomatoes, peas, carrots, onions, French beans, citrus, peaches, apples, cabbages, strawberries, asparagus and leeks.
Most of these are grown in Bahati, Njoro, Molo, Rongai, Olenguruone, Nakuru Municipality, Gilgil and Mbogo-ini Divisions.
The main storage facilities include the National Cereals Produce Boards’ stores and silos with a combined capacity of over 220,000 tonnes.
The most common livestock kept in the large-scale commercial farms are dairy and beef cattle, goat and sheep, with milk, meat, hide and skin, wool and mutton as their main products.
The diversity and success of agriculture in the County is underscored by the presence of even horse-breeding, at Suswa Farm in Njoro Division.
The majority of the large commercial farms are found around Naivasha, Molo, Rongai, Bahati and Njoro Divisions.
An increasing number of farmer households is entering the dairy business, knowing that this can bring financial stability.
Large dairy processing plants are nearby in Nakuru Town and even export-grade cheese is being made by several firms in the area.
The County Council of Nakuru is among the first rural administrative areas in Kenya to embark on an Information and Communication Technology strategy.