Wamatangi: How Kiambu lost Sh15b for failing to create new municipalities

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi when appeared before the Senate CPAC committee at the Bunge Towers, Nairobi, July 29th, 2024 [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Kiambu County may have lost over Sh15 billion in the past decade of devolution due to successive administrations' failure to grant municipality status to deserving areas.

Despite having 12 constituencies and a population exceeding 3 million, the county has operated with only six municipalities-Thika, Ruiru, Kiambu, Karuri (in Kiambaa Constituency), Limuru, and Kikuyu.

Each municipality qualifies for at least Sh250 million annually under the World Bank's Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) to fund infrastructure projects.

"Had that happened, every one of the other six constituencies would have received Sh250 million annually for infrastructure projects, which is how a region grows. But we missed the chance because someone did not see the need to," said Governor Kimani Wamatangi.

Wamatangi added that municipalities like Thika, Limuru, and Kikuyu have been forced to share resources with neighbouring constituencies such as Juja, Lari, and Kabete, which were not eligible for independent funding.

To remedy this, the governor said his administration had successfully conferred six new municipalities: Githurai, Juja, Gatundu, Githunguri, Kabete, and Lari. These new units will now attract development funding. He also devolved most county functions to municipalities for improved efficiency.

"When I was serving as a senator, I led the one-man-one-vote-one-shilling campaign... That's why I fought against stiff opposition to establish the six new municipalities-we will attract more resources," he said.

This year, municipalities approved for funding have benefitted from a Sh43 billion World Bank grant.

According to the County Lands Executive Salome Wainaina, a town is eligible for municipality status if, among other things, it has a population of at least between 70,000 and 249,000 people, demonstrable revenue collection or revenue collection potential, capacity to effectively deliver essential services.

Wamatangi also seeks to elevate Thika into an industrial smart city. The proposal is currently before the County Assembly.

Once passed and endorsed by the Senate and President William Ruto, Thika could receive over Sh1 billion annually in infrastructure grants.