The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has supported the proposal to elevate Thika Municipality into a smart industrial city, saying the town has satisfied the requirements set out under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
After reviewing submissions from the Kiambu County Government, the committee determined that Thika has the necessary infrastructure, public facilities, and essential services required to attain city status.
The assessment involved public participation exercises, consultations with stakeholders, verification of population and revenue figures, and inspections of key facilities, including roads, healthcare centres, water systems, and sewerage infrastructure.
The committee concluded that Thika is prepared for city status, allowing the Senate to proceed with consideration of the recommendation.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi said Thika has long been recognised as an industrial hub, earning the nickname “the Birmingham of Kenya” due to its manufacturing history.
“Thika has been known as the Birmingham of Kenya for four years because of industrialisation. We have good infrastructure, factories, companies and industrial facilities that were established many years ago, and they are still there. We just need to revitalise them,” Wamatangi said.
Broadway’s Kenya Managing Director, Bimal Shah, said the growth of industries relocating from Nairobi to Thika over the past decade demonstrates the town’s improving business environment.
He noted that county efforts have created favourable conditions for industries to expand in Kiambu, particularly in Thika.
Shah added that while achieving city status could come with changes such as higher rates and charges, the elevation would be a major milestone and a positive development for the town’s future.
