Wamatangi takes Thika smart city push to Senate

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi at a past event. [File, Standard] Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has ramped up efforts to make Thika Town an industrial smart city by taking his proposal to the Senate for approval. Flanked by a team of Kiambu leaders, Wamatangi pitched Thika as the ideal candidate to become not only the first city in the Mt Kenya region, but also a trailblazer, as its foundation is rooted in industry, innovation, and technology. Appearing before senators on Thursday, the Governor argued that Thika has already "ticked all the boxes", pointing to its population, modern infrastructure, and overwhelming public backing for the upgrade. Wamatangi maintained that city status would unlock a wave of new investments, attract industries, create jobs, and channel more resources into the local economy, thereby cementing Thika's position as a local industrial powerhouse. He highlighted that the town already hosts some of Kenya's largest industries, from manufacturing giants to agro-processing plants, and is supported by an expanding network of roads, reliable water supply, and growing ICT infrastructure. This, he argued, gives Thika the competitive edge to anchor a modern city driven by industry and technology. "The reason Thika was branded the 'Birmingham of Kenya' is because it has long possessed the factors necessary to promote industry, and it still boasts very vibrant industries," said the Governor during a sitting with the Devolution Committee. He noted that 890 acres of land had been surrendered by fruit processor Delmonte, free of any encumbrances, and have been zoned and allocated for uses that will support the city's growth. "We have already set aside 350 acres as a Special Economic Zone," he added. The Governor said the county had also allocated sufficient land for an airstrip within Thika, as well as space for affordable housing to provide residents with decent homes and essential amenities. He emphasised that Thika already enjoys well-established infrastructure. "We are developing Thika Stadium to international standards. We have awarded a contract worth more tah Sh350 million, which is now halfway complete. To address youth unemployment, we made a deliberate decision to build stalls around the stadium to create opportunities for our people," he said. The Governor further pointed to Thika's diverse and skilled population, the availability of land for industrial expansion, and ongoing county investments in infrastructure, housing, and urban renewal. The county chief noted that city status would not only attract high-value investments, but also create thousands of jobs, boost exports, and increase revenue flows for both the county and the national government. He also underscored the town's strong educational foundation, revealing that Thika is home to more than 10 universities and colleges producing thousands of young, tech-savvy graduates every year. "These young people are ready to leave their mark by making a difference in Thika if given an opportunity to do so," said Wamatangi. Former Thika Mayor Mumbi Ngaru, who accompanied the Governor during the Senate sitting, said that once elevated to city status, Thika would embody the aspirations of its residents, who have already shown their strong support. "If you look at the first meeting held on the matter, you will see that the proposal received overwhelming support," said Ngaru, who is also a member of the Thika Municipal Board. "Thika has a population of more than 500,000, with an additional one million people who directly or indirectly rely on the town for employment, education, administrative services, leisure and recreation, and business," said.

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Wamatangi takes Thika smart city push to Senate

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