Thika town is steadily moving closer to city status, with Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi leading the charge in the Senate. The Senate Devolution Committee, chaired by Wajir Senator Abass Mohamed, has already begun hearings on the proposal.
During the hearings, Governor Wamatangi described Thika as one of Kenya’s fastest emerging industrial hubs with a thriving manufacturing sector that is still attracting investors. Formerly called the “Birmingham of Africa” due to its good climate, farming fertility, town planning, cultural heritage, and industrial growth, Wamatangi said Thika nows offers tremendous potential for development with available land and its location along the Trans-Africa Highway corridor.
Wamatangi argued that granting city status would allow Thika to serve not just central Kenya but the broader East African region, capitalizing on its intermodal transport network, which includes a superhighway to Nairobi, a railway line, and a transit highway to northern Kenya.
“We urge the Senate to pass a resolution from the Kiambu County Assembly on the conferment of city status to the town,” said Governor Wamatangi.
“Today, we have thriving industries in Thika, and if we succeed in elevating the town to a city, we will attract more investors in manufacturing, technology and other enterprises that will create jobs.”
Highlighting ongoing development, Wamatangi revealed that his administration has already begun a number of projects to accommodate Thika’s rapidly growing population of over 700,000 residents. According to the Urban Areas and Cities Act, towns with a population of over 250,000 qualify for city status, which Thika comfortably meets.
“City status often comes with increased funding and attention to infrastructural projects. Thika will have better roads, efficient public transportation, improved water and sewerage systems, and other critical infrastructure that will enhance quality of life,” he added.
The governor confirmed that the county and national governments are investing over Ksh10 billion in infrastructure, trade, sports, health, education, and other sectors. The county has already begun to repair roads, build streetlights, and enhance the drainage system in the central business district. The Kenya National Highways Authority plan to dual the Thika-Garissa Highway will also alleviate congestion.
If approved, Thika will join Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret as Kenya’s sixth city.
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