Nakuru, Kenya

Capital City

With a population of over 307,990, Nakuru is no sleepy village. This rapidly growing Kenyan city is a hub of agriculture, manufacturing, and retail - but don't expect an easy life. The bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, and the climate is temperate at best, with temperatures plummeting at night. In 2007, the city even saw buildings burned to the ground during post-election violence. While Nakuru boasts university campuses and a diverse population, it's a city for those with grit and resourcefulness, not the faint of heart.