Why Thika is ripe for city status

An aerial view of Thika town. [File, Standard]

Last week, diverse stakeholders supported making Thika an Industrial Smart City, confirming the town’s readiness for this status. The Senate public participation forum reinforced our vision to elevate Thika as a city for the economic gain of Kiambu and Kenya.

As Kiambu Governor, I have led the push to make Thika’s elevation a central goal. This effort began as a clear, structured initiative within my manifesto.

On taking office, we acted quickly to pursue this vision, investing in infrastructure, improving service delivery, and transforming roads, water, health, education, sanitation, sports, trade, education, and revenue collection.

Thika, previously known as the Birmingham of Kenyan due to its industrial foundation, exceeds city status legal requirements under the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

Its urban population of over 700,000 surpasses the required threshold of 250,000. Elevating Thika will ease pressure on Nairobi and establish a strong second economic center in the Nairobi Metropolitan Region.

Located 42 kilometres from Nairobi and 55 kilometres from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Thika lies on the Trans-Africa Highway corridor.

It is positioned directly along the trans-African route. The highways that go through Thika can be used to travel all the way to Ethiopia, Sudan, and other Horn of Africa nations.

The road can also be used to travel to Zambia, Malawi, and South Africa. That is why the industries established in Thika flourished. A manufacturer can package goods and transport them to Nairobi for exportation by air or rail to Mombasa.

Thika hosts more than 1, 000 factories, including close to 100 multinational and large-scale firms, anchoring Kenya’s industrial output. Manufacturing contributes more than 50 percent of the local economy and supports 80,000–100,000 jobs.

If Thika is elevated into an Industrial Smart City, it is projected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs and over 100,000 indirect jobs over the next decade.

To boost this growth, the county administration set aside 324 acres on the Del Monte corridor for an Export Processing Zone to attract export industries, logistics, warehousing, and advanced manufacturing.

Already, Thika demonstrates a strong capacity to sustain city operations as the highest revenue-generating municipality in Kiambu County, collecting approximately KSh 1.2 billion annually.

Equally crucial, a high level of planning and governance is in place, an approved Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan guides zoning, land use, industrial expansion, and infrastructure development, anchoring the Smart City vision.

The digitisation of key county services—including revenue collection, development approvals, planning processes, and licence issuance—significantly enhances efficiency.

Infrastructure development reflects Thika’s readiness for city status. The town’s road network spans approximately 200 kilometres of both tarmacked and non-tarmacked roads. Projects to enhance the road network are ongoing across all wards, implemented in collaboration with KURA, KeNHA and KeRRA.

These include the dualling of key corridors within the central business district, upgrading of strategic links and opening of new access roads in residential and industrial zones.

Water and sanitation are expanding to meet population and industry demands. Thika’s water supply is 40,000 cubic metres per day, short of the 60,000 needed. To close this gap, the County, through THIWASCOs, partnered with DANIDA for a KSh 15.4 billion expansion.

On completion, supply will reach 70,000 cubic metres per day via a new dam along River Chania and a treatment facility. Rehabilitation, expansion of plants, and new wastewater treatment will support growth.

A defining feature of Thika’s environmental infrastructure is the Kang’oki Landfill Project. In partnership with JICA, Thika has become the pilot town in Africa to implement the Fukuoka semi-aerobic landfill system.

This modern technology enhances waste decomposition, reduces pollution, controls emissions and improves public health outcomes, positioning Thika as a benchmark in sustainable urban environmental management.

Housing and urban renewal are advancing. With the National Government, over 25,000 affordable units are planned near Thika. Slum upgrades in Umoja, Kiang’ombe, and Kiandutu include better roads, solar lighting, and improved amenities. Over 4,900 processed title deeds give residents tenure security and a stake in growth..

Thika’s healthcare infrastructure is robust. There are 16 public hospitals and over 130 private facilities. Thika Level 5 Hospital which serves neighboring counties, has been upgraded to a major referral center for several counties, highlighting Thika’s role in regional healthcare.

Emergency services in Thika are strong. The town has a fully operational fire station, and the county’s Firefighting and Emergency Services Training School trains both county and national personnel, ensuring effective and responsive emergency services.

Thika’s human capital drives growth and supports the Industrial Smart City vision. Institutions like Jomo Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, Gretsa University, and nearby colleges create an ecosystem of young, skilled graduates. This talent incubator produces expertise in engineering, ICT, manufacturing, logistics, and business, expanding the job market and fueling industry, technology, and enterprise.h.

The ball is now in the Senate’s court to make this dream a reality.

The writer is the Kiambu Governor