NAIROBI, Kenya — The Senate of Kenya Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations is reviewing Thika Municipality’s application for city status and has invited members of the public to submit their views.
In a notice published in local media, the committee stated:
“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.”
Public submissions are to be sent to the Clerk of the Senate and must be received by Monday, March 9, 2026. In addition to written feedback, a public hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Thika Municipal Chambers, where residents, business leaders, civil society groups, and other stakeholders can make oral presentations.
If approved, Thika would become Kenya’s sixth officially recognized city, joining Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret. Residents have welcomed the bid, citing the town’s growing population, industrial base, and strategic location as reasons for elevation.
The drive for city status gained renewed momentum in early 2025 when Governor Kimani Wamatangi submitted an ad hoc committee report and proposed charter to the County Assembly, advocating for the upgrade.
The report was unanimously approved by Members of the County Assembly and forwarded to the Senate.
Thika has already met several statutory benchmarks under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, including a population exceeding 250,000, positioning it favorably for elevation.
Local authorities and business leaders argue that city status would attract investment, create jobs, and unlock development opportunities, further cementing Thika’s role as a key economic hub in central Kenya.
