Thika Municipality is on the verge of becoming the sixth city in the Republic of Kenya. The Senate’s Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has approved the elevation, tabling a report on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that recommends transmitting the resolution to the President to issue an official City Charter under the Urban Areas and Cities Act. Once signed, Thika will join the ranks of Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nairobi.
The committee described the application by the Kiambu County Government as exceptionally thorough, backed by strong documentation, extensive physical verification, and overwhelming public support. Beyond its robust local economy, the committee found that Thika boasts the necessary infrastructure and disaster management capacities to warrant its elevation.
Key Strengths and Municipal Infrastructure
The Senate’s comprehensive assessment highlighted Thika’s readiness across several essential public sectors:
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Healthcare Excellence: The municipality features 202 health facilities. At the center of this network is the Thika Level 5 Hospital, a 300-bed regional referral and teaching facility. The hospital features an ICU, a cancer center, a renal unit with five dialysis machines, and advanced neonatal units. Remarkably, the hospital reports a maternal mortality rate of just 5.1 per 100,000 live births – far below Kenya’s national average of 355 and well within the World Health Organization’s global target of under 70.
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Rapid Emergency Response: The Thika Fire Station operates round-the-clock with 40 trained personnel. It maintains a modern fleet, including 10,000-liter and 5,000-liter engines, a rescue van, and specialized technical tools like life detectors for collapsed buildings, rope systems for high-angle rescues, and diving equipment.
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Connectivity and Revenue: While Thika does not have its own airport, its close proximity to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and reliable road networks eliminate any immediate need for one, though plans for a local airstrip on former Del Monte land remain active. The municipality also demonstrates a strong capacity to raise its own revenue, supported by the Thika Superhighway, a functional railway line, over 10 universities, and 57 tertiary institutions.
Areas Requiring Action
Despite its clear readiness, the Senate committee highlighted several areas where the Kiambu County Government must provide clear execution timelines:
Cultural Preservation and Recreation
Thika currently lacks a fully operational public museum or interpretive center. While the historical Mugo wa Kibiru Shrine is undergoing rehabilitation in partnership with the National Museums of Kenya, and the Thika War Cemetery continues to serve as an important historical site, the county must establish a concrete roadmap to build a fully functional museum and a public theater.
Smart Waste Management
The county must transition from open dumping at its 126-acre Kang’oki disposal site in Kamenu Ward to a sanitary engineered landfill. Currently, the site handles up to 1,500 tonnes of waste daily and supports 800 waste pickers.
The county plans to upgrade this facility using Fukuoka Semi-Aerobic Landfill Technology alongside IoT-enabled smart bins, GIS route optimization, and AI-driven sorting robotics. Additionally, the county has committed to restoring the Chania and Thika Rivers by establishing green corridors and ecological buffers.
“The Committee observes that the conferment of city status to Thika Municipality will provide an important platform for accelerated development, improved service delivery and enhanced local economic growth, anchored on sustainable commitment to good governance, prudent financial management and responsive urban planning,” the document notes.
