Elijah Ntongai, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.

Thika Town in Kiambu county is on track to become Kenya’s sixth city after the Senate formally began deliberations on a proposal to elevate the fast-growing municipality to city status.

On Wednesday, July 16, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced that the House had received an official communication from the Kiambu County Assembly approving the elevation.

"Our quest to elevate Thika Municipality to an industrial smart city has officially started at the Senate of Kenya after a resolution by the County Assembly of Kiambu on the conferment of city status to the town was communicated to the House today," Kiambu's Governor Kimani Wamatangi announced.

The matter was referred to the Senate’s Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations, chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abass, for urgent consideration.

“This communication marks the official commencement of the conferment process. I direct that the committee expedites consideration of this matter and tables the report for the Senate’s decision,” Kingi stated.

Thika’s elevation bid gained momentum in June when the Kiambu County Assembly adopted a resolution backed by its Committee on Planning and Urbanisation.

Governor Wamatangi led a delegation of county officials to present the resolution to the Senate and expressed confidence in Thika’s readiness for cityhood.

“The county government is already upgrading the town’s infrastructure and essential services. Thika is ready for the next step,” Wamatangi said.

If the Senate endorses the proposal, it will forward the resolution to President William Ruto, who has the authority to confer city status by awarding a charter.

Thika could then join Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret as Kenya’s officially recognised cities.

Under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, a municipality must meet several criteria to qualify for elevation, including a minimum population of 250,000, a comprehensive development plan, sufficient revenue generation capacity, and the ability to deliver core services like water, sanitation, health, education, and security.

Thika, a critical industrial and commercial hub just 40 km from Nairobi's Central Business District, has seen rapid urban growth and infrastructure expansion over the last decade, positioning itself as a prime candidate for elevation.

Earlier, President Ruto officially elevated Eldoret to Kenya’s fifth city after signing a charter and sealing the conferment during a colourful ceremony in Uasin Gishu County on August 15, 2024.

The elevation followed a successful application and Senate approval that sparked celebrations among residents and local leaders.

The ceremony was attended by national leaders and Kenyan athletes, marking a historic milestone for Eldoret.

Source: TUKO.co.ke