Thika City Status Bid Gains Momentum as Senate Invites Public Views
The push for Thika City Status has officially entered a decisive phase after the Senate of Kenya began reviewing the municipality’s application for elevation.
The move places Thika at the centre of national attention, with residents, investors and leaders closely watching the process that could transform the industrial town into Kenya’s newest city.
Senate Committee Opens Public Participation
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations recently announced that it is considering the application for the conferment of city status to Thika Municipality and invited members of the public to submit their views.
“In accordance with the provisions of Article 118 of the Constitution, the Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations now invites interested members of the public to submit any representations that they may have on the matter by way of memoranda,” the notice read.
Members of the public have been asked to submit their representations to the Clerk of the Senate before Monday, March 9.
Beyond written submissions, the committee will conduct a public hearing on Friday, March 6 at the Thika Municipal Chambers in Thika Town. Residents, business leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders are expected to present their views in person.
What City Status Would Mean for Thika
If approved, Thika would join the ranks of Kenya’s recognized cities after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.
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For many residents, city elevation is more than a title. It represents recognition of Thika’s expanding population, strong industrial base and strategic location along key transport corridors.
City status often unlocks increased funding, improved infrastructure planning, stronger governance structures and greater investor confidence. Local business leaders argue that elevation could attract fresh capital into manufacturing, real estate and service industries.
Years in the Making
The campaign for Thika City Status has been ongoing for years, but momentum intensified in early 2025 when Governor Kimani Wamatangi handed an ad hoc committee report and charter to the County Assembly advocating for the municipality’s elevation.
Wamatangi maintained that city recognition would unlock development opportunities, attract investment and create jobs. The report was unanimously approved by Members of the County Assembly and forwarded to the Senate, elevating the matter to the national legislative stage.
Notably, Thika has already met several statutory benchmarks under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, including surpassing the population threshold of 250,000 residents.
Why Public Input Matters
Public participation is a constitutional requirement and a critical step in determining whether Thika’s transformation reflects the will of its people.
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The upcoming hearing is expected to draw diverse voices, from long-time residents concerned about urban planning to investors eager for new economic opportunities.
With submissions closing on March 9, the coming days will be pivotal in shaping Thika’s future.
Whether the Senate ultimately grants approval or requests further review, one thing is clear: the conversation around Thika City Status has reached a defining moment.
Residents who wish to shape the municipality’s destiny now have a formal platform to do so.
Also Read: Thika Road Accident: Several Injured After Lorry Rams into Bus Full of Passengers
Thika City Status Bid Gains Momentum as Senate Invites Public Views
