Nairobi — Nakuru Town could be split into three constituencies if a proposal by local leaders is adopted.

Area MP Lee Kinyanjui told the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission sitting in Nakuru that new constituencies needed to be created to ensure fair representation after a sharp increase in population.

The population of Nakuru Town has shot up to 1.2 million in the past two years as a result of an influx of people who fled Eldoret, Kisumu, Timboroa, Koibatek, and Kericho during the post-election violence.

Mr Kinyanjui, who is also the Roads assistant minister, told the commission chaired by Mr Andrew Ligale that it was becoming difficult for just one person to represent such a large population.

If the suggestions are implemented, the new electoral areas will be known as Nakuru Town, Lanet, and Kaptembwa constituencies.

However, the MP's suggestion that the new constituencies be carved from parts of Rongai and Naivasha met stiff resistance from representatives from those areas.

Rongai MP Luka Kigen complained that the leaders from the area had not been consulted by their Nakuru counterparts.

Nakuru leaders are also targeting Lanet, Teachers, and Kiungururia areas, which are in Naivasha and Subukia constituencies although they border Nakuru Town.

Mr Kinyanjui based his push for the new electoral boundaries on the fact that the areas targeted were stretching the town's resources.