TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya

The journey to transform Thika into Kenya’s sixth city has reached a key milestone after the Kiambu County Assembly unanimously approved a report backing its elevation.

This move, driven by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, followed months of public engagement and detailed planning aimed at positioning Thika as an industrial smart city.

The endorsement paves the way for the proposal to move to the Senate, before it can be presented to the president for final approval.

The report, tabled on the floor of the Assembly by Murera Ward MCA Moses Ngatha, who chairs the Planning Committee, outlines the town’s readiness in terms of infrastructure, economic potential and stakeholder support.

The document was developed after an ad hoc committee led by former senator Sylvia Kasanga conducted wide-ranging consultations, including public forums, roundtable discussions, and written submissions from various sectors.

Wamatangi had submitted the report and accompanying charter to the Assembly in February.

The handover ceremony, held at Mount Kenya University’s Graduation Pavilion, brought together key county leaders, including the Assembly Speaker and Clerk. This move fulfilled one of Wamatangi’s key manifesto promise to champion Thika’s rise as a modern city.

The report highlighted Thika’s strategic location and well-established industrial base as central to its transformation.

It projected that city status would draw in over KSh 1 billion annually in infrastructure investment and create more than 50,000 new jobs in sectors such as manufacturing and technology.

This growth is expected to drive urban development, boost property values, and support a 24-hour economy that would benefit both the county and the country at large.

previously reported that in support of the city bid, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) approved the construction of 60 kilometres of roads around Thika.

The road upgrades are set to enhance traffic flow and investor access, linking key areas such as Gatitu, the town centre, county headquarters, and the main stadium.

Wamatangi has been vocal about the need for efficient transport infrastructure, which he says is essential for Thika to realise its smart city vision.

Now with the County Assembly’s approval, all eyes turn to the Senate and eventually the office of the president, which holds the final say on Thika’s city status.

If successful, the town will join Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret in the exclusive club of Kenyan cities.

Source: TUKO.co.ke