town, west-central Kenya. It lies near the Mau Escarpment on the north shore of Lake Nakuru (Nakuru, Lake), 95 miles (153 km) northwest of Nairobi, near the heart of the Kikuyu people's homeland. During the colonial period, Nakuru was a centre of European activity. Now one of the largest towns in Kenya, Nakuru is an important agricultural centre and the site of Egerton University (1939). It is a busy commercial and transport centre for west-central Kenya. Nearby attractions include Lake Nakuru National Park, known for its hundreds of species of birds, the Hyrax Hill prehistoric site, and the immense Menengai Crater. Pop. (2004 est.) 256,300.