Thika: The quest to elevate Thika town in Kiambu County to a city status has entered a critical stage after Governor Kimani Wamatangi handed over an Ad-hoc report and Charter to the County Assembly for approval. Once approved, the County Assembly will then submit it to the Senate before it is escalated to President William Ruto for conferment with a City Charter. If conferred, it will become the sixth city in the country and the first in the Central region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the report and charter were prepared by the ad hoc committee chaired by former Senator Sylvia Kasanga, highlighting the readiness of the town to become a city. It was handed over to the County Assembly Speaker and Clerk during a ceremony held at Mount Kenya University Graduation Pavilion in Thika yesterday. Wamatangi expressed optimism that the town will get elevation, adding that the transformation will unlock new opportunities for development and economic growth.
He stated that the town has the potential to attract significant investment and create jobs due to its strategic location, adding that the city status will see the town attract over Sh6 billion annually for infrastructure development and create over 50,000 jobs through manufacturing and technology. “We hope it won’t be long before we finally get a city in Kiambu County, the first in the Central region. We have entered the legislative process, which will be escalated. Once Thika becomes a city, it will have the potential to attract investment, development and create jobs. It will also ease pressures on Nairobi city,” said Wamatangi.
Kasanga mentioned that the report was thorough, stating it began with public participation among the people before report writing. Local leaders, led by Deputy Speaker John Njiru, who is also the Hospital Ward MCA, said the City status would lead to massive job opportunities for locals. He called on residents to support the process, saying they stand to benefit immensely.
Mt. Kenya University Vice Chancellor Deogratius Jaganyi, who was present at the event, remarked that elevating Thika to a city will be a major boost to the growth of the town and attract investment in all the sectors.