Thika Municipality’s Bid For City Status Under Review At The Senate
Thika Municipality is at the centre of a renewed effort for city status, with the Senate formally reviewing its application for elevation.
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations recently declared that it is evaluating the request in accordance with the legislation, and the public has been invited to offer comments.
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations declared in a notice to one of the daily newspapers that it is reviewing the proposal for Thika Municipality to be granted city status and urged the public to provide feedback.
“In accordance with the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution, the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations now invites interested members of the public to submit any representations that they may have on the matter by way of memoranda,” the notice read.
Members of the public have since been asked to send their comments to the Clerk of the Senate. Submissions are scheduled to be received by Monday, March 9.
In addition to written contributions, the committee plans to hold a public hearing on Friday, March 6, in the Thika Municipal Chambers in Thika Town.
Residents, business leaders, civil society groups, and other interested parties are asked to attend the hearing and deliver oral remarks to the Committee.
If accepted, Thika will join Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret as Kenya’s recognized cities.
Thika people are especially interested in seeing the city upgraded since it would honor its growing population, robust industrial base, and strategic location.
The push for elevation of Thika dates back years, with the latest push coming in early 2025, when Governor Kimani Wamatangi handed an ad hoc committee report and charter to the County Assembly to advocate for the municipality’s elevation.
ALSO READ:
- “100 Police Officers Live In My Compoud!” – Raphael Tuju Says
- Trump Warns Ships That Pays Toll Fee At Strait Of Hormuz, Says ‘Won’t Be Safe In High Seas’
- Kenya’s Popular Podcast Broken Into, Equipments Stolen
- EXPLAINER: Inside New Proposed SHA Contribution Changes Affecting ALL Kenyans
- Goons Disrupt Niko Kadi Initiative In Kitale, Local Leaders Blamed
Wamatangi was adamant that Thika getting recognised as a city could unlock development opportunities, attract investment and create jobs.
Quest for city status
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) February 22, 2025
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has begun the fast step in the quest to make Thika town Kenya’s sixth city#NTVWeekend @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/eShFEbRBmv
The report was unanimously approved by Members of the County Assembly and forwarded to the Senate, bringing the bid to a national legislative stage.
The report was unanimously approved by Members of the County Assembly and forwarded to the Senate, bringing the bid to a national legislative stage.
Notably, Thika has already met several statutory benchmarks for city status, including a population exceeding the 250,000 threshold as required under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
Thika Municipality’s Bid For City Status Under Review At The Senate
