Jubilee doles out goodies to Tharaka Nithi residents

By FRANCIS NGIGE

The commissioning of the tarmacking of the entire road network of Chuka town, Tharaka Nithi County may just have been one of those functions listed in the presidential diary.

But a closer look at the event that was the climax of the centenary celebrations of the town presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the infrastructural development may have more bearing in the region than it is thought.

The roaring of earthmovers to signify the start of the project was a fresh breath for the locals who have endured dusty streets and muddy pathways, despite being the headquarters of the county.

Apart from the Meru-Nairobi Highway that cut across the town, perched on one of the many hills in the county, the town has no inch of tarmac.

With tarmacking and improvement of infrastructure in the rural township having remained a pipe dream and campaign tool by successive governments, Uhuru’s ground breaking ceremony was more symbolic and a new dawn for the local politics.

What three successive governments have failed to do in half a century has been realised by the Uhuru regime in just six months in office.

The political landscape of the larger Meru region seems to be slowly changing since the coming to power of the Jubilee government.

To many, the region that comprises Meru and Tharaka Nithi benefitted immensely from the former President Kibaki’s government, having been key to his election.

If there is a region that voted to almost a man for Kibaki during his two-term tenure, then it is Meru where the locals have supported him since the advent of multi-partism.

But unknown to many is that not all areas benefited from the generosity of Kibaki’s regime in terms of development.

A close observation reveals that nearly all development projects initiated by the Kibaki regime were concentrated in the populous and agricultural rich Meru County as compared to the vast and semi-arid Tharaka Nithi County.

The county that consists of Chuka-Igambang’ombe, Maara and Tharaka constituencies appears to have been marginalised.

It has been overshadowed by Meru and its link to the miraa growing county has worked to its disadvantage as the projects earmarked for the region have largely gone to its big brother. But the political current seems to be shifting slowly with the coming to power of the Jubilee regime.

From the tone of Uhuru’s voice to the speeches of other leaders who attended the Friday event, it was clear that the Jubilee government may be keen to change its approach of things in the region.

It was clear from the President that he may be shifting from the Kibaki’s way of doing things and as a result, Tharaka Nithi may be in for good things.

“I want to categorically state that resources will be equally distributed. We don’t want to see areas that are marginalised for no apparent reason. If we get some development money for this county, all the three constituencies will be considered,” Uhuru told a cheering crowd at Chuka University Graduation square where the centenary celebrations were held.

Made promises

Former President Kibaki and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga have been on record promising to have the town’s streets tarmacked and infrastructure improved but the promise did not come to pass.

In what appears to be an admission that some areas have previously been marginalised Uhuru said: “Provision of services to Kenyans is a right not a privilege and as a government we want to serve all Kenyans regardless of their political or social status.”

He said the launching of the Sh200 million tarmacking project was the beginning of “a long journey to transform Tharaka Nithi to be at par with other counties.”

In terms of development, Chuka is far below Meru, which apart from a good road network, enjoys an array of other development projects that include modern markets, sewerage systems, agricultural factories and education institutions.

Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki, who hosted the President and his Deputy William Ruto, said due to the false promises by previous regimes, Chuka residents remained doubtful about the prospect of the project. Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki said with devolution the vast region would develop rapidly.