Chuka: A century-old town without tarmac

By FRANCIS NGIGE

Through wisps of white clouds, the morning sun beams down on the town perched on one of the undulating hills that dot the region.

As the day breaks, traders are busy opening their shops in the muddy town and sounds of public service vehicles hooting to beckon passengers grow by the minute.

In a matter of minutes we find ourselves part of the cacophonic frenzy that is Chuka town, in Tharaka Nithi County.

A visitor to the region, that borders Embu on the one side and Meru on the other, is met with scenic views that are a true sight to behold.

Row upon row of trees spreads all the way to the horizon on gentle hills and through green valleys, surrounded by spectacular, craggy mountains Agriculture is the mainstay of the area.

Natural charm

From interactions with locals, it is a region of great natural charm, warm, welcoming people and ancestral traditions.

Its vibrancy has seen it expand rapidly over the years but it is still regarded as a rural town for lack of basic infrastructure.

Despite being in existence for a century now, Chuka town, the commercial centre of the vast Tharaka Nithi County, is without a single inch of tarmac apart from the main Embu-Meru highway, which cuts across it. It has no sewerage or waste water disposal system.

During the dry season, traders are forced to endure dust that undoubtedly affects their businesses.

It is not any rosier during the rainy season as footpaths and the entire road system becomes muddy and impassable.

The town’s haphazard planning has seen the mushrooming of illegal structures, some built on land meant for road reserves and public utility.

By all standards and the population, Chuka is supposed to be one of the largest and busiest towns in greater Meru region.

Before the split of the larger Nithi constituency into Chuka Igambang’ombe and Maara Constituency, Chuka remained the headquarters of Tharaka Nithi.

It hosts branches of all the leading banks in the country, has a national school, a public university and has all government departments.

With the proposed County headquarters at Kathwana still far from being fully operational, nearly all services are being administered from Chuka town.

It is located at the centre of Embu and Meru counties, some of the economic giants of the region.

But all is not lost for the town and indeed the county.

As Chuka celebrates 100 years of existence on October 26, the locals are optimistic that the new county government would bring good tidings to them and also provide a new face to it.

Campaign tool

For years, tarmacking of the town has been used as a campaign tool with successive leaders promising to fulfill the hopes of locals.

Apart from local leaders, successive governments have made the unfulfilled promises to the locals.

Former President Kibaki and ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga are on record promising to fast track the tarmacking and planning of the town. These, however, did not come to pass during their reign.

But as the adage goes that every cloud has a silver lining, the prayers of locals are just about to be answered.

According to Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki, a contract to tarmac the roads has already been awarded and the locals will celebrate the centenary in style. “Since I assumed office, I have been making a follow-up on the matter and it is now at the conclusion stage.

“The only bit left is for the contractor to sign an agreement with the government of the devolved unit,” said the MP in an interview.

And as the town gears up to the centenary celebrations, which will climax with a major fete at Chuka Stadium, organisers of the bash are optimistic this would underline a new beginning for the town.

Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Erastus Njoka, the patron of the organising committee of the centenary celebrations, said apart from the challenges facing the town there are positive things to cheer about.

“We are working on an intensive programme for the celebrations that will include showcasing our rich and diverse culture. We want to put on display the milestones we have achieved in the 100 years,” said Njoka at his university office.

Njoka, who is also the chairman of the Meru Professional Association, said celebrations to mark the 100 years of Chuka’s existence will be carried out for a week between October 21 and 26.

“The first two days will be used for free medical services, then the cleaning of the town that will include university students and later, Evangelism Day. On the final day, we shall have a major event at Chuka Stadium,” said the VC.

On the lack of basic infrastructure in the town, Njoka said it was one of the issues that the devolved government should address.

Lack of infrastructure

“Chuka was almost dying because of lack of infrastructure as you know many towns develop because of institutions and good foundation. But we can see light at the end of the tunnel with this system of devolution,” said Njoka.

Locals are now upbeat that after years of neglect Chuka would change with the advent of devolution.

Mutembei Baabu, a resident of Ndagani, said it would be fulfilling if the infrastructure in the town is improved as way of celebrating the 100 years of its existence.

Bite the bullet

“But until I see a contractor on site, I take this promise with a pinch of salt. These promises have been made year in year out. It is always a campaign tool,” a pessimistic Baabu told Standard on Sunday.

Another resident, Jacinta Gatiria was also doubtful that the streets of Chuka will finally be tarmacked.

“As these traders running business here. This town is inhabitable during the dry spells because of choking dust and all we get are promises. Let them do it then we will congratulate them, but until I see a grader here, that will always remain a pipedream,” said Gatiria.

Njuki, however, said tarmacking roads in Chuka has been hampered by a group of people who had encroached on road reserves and had erected permanent buildings.

“We have to bite the bullet and ensure that the interest of majority of the people are taken care of. We cannot be held to ransom by a few,” Njuki said.

Former Chuka Mayor Fatuma Murungi echoed Njuki’s sentiments saying the issue of infrastructure in the town was major challenge to its growth.

“When I was at the helm of leadership, I personally raised the issue with Kibaki (the former President) and he was very supportive of the idea but along the way some hiccups developed,” said Murungi.

A local trader Baituru Murungi said if the infrastructure is improved the town will attract investors and also help grow the county.

Baituru who is also a member of the local chapter of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry said proper planning would be a big boost for the town, which has previously been overshadowed by neighbouring Embu and Meru towns.

Courting trouble

“The population of the town is growing rapidly and without proper planning we are courting trouble. We have a fully fledged public university which should add to the impetus of the town,” said Baituru.

The businessman said the local business people were supportive of the idea to tarmac the town as well as put up a sewerage system.