Leaders and residents of Gatundu North want the constituency renamed, claiming its current name is to blame for underdevelopment.
They are suggesting that the constituency be renamed to either Mang'u, Kamwangi or Chania.
They claim development projects from the national government are concentrated in Gatundu South because of the name and the leaders who hail from the constituency. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is from Gatundu South.
MP Elijah Njoroge, commonly known as Kururia, said a name change would ensure the constituency gets crucial development projects that will go a long way in improving the living standards of residents.
"It's high time we think about changing the name of our constituency because it's the main reason we are still lagging behind in terms of developments," the MP said.
"I've knocked on doors asking for vital projects like a court, roads, a level five hospital, a college or university but I was told we have all that in Gatundu. Unfortunately, they are not in our Gatundu."
Njoroge said the state of roads in Gatundu North is pitiable.
He said the poor state of the roads had caused untold suffering to residents, most of whom are farmers.
Residents said most roads in the neighbouring constituency are tarmacked whereas in their area only the Thika-Flyover road is being tarmacked.
"For instance, Githobokoni ward in Gatundu North does not have even an inch of tarmac road. The Gatukuyu-Kairi-road which was tarmacked the other day is already full of potholes. But if you go to Gatundu South, even village roads have been tarmacked," resident Simon Wakaba said.
MP Njoroge said he will initiate a series of public participation meetings across the constituency to get opinions from residents on the matter.
"With a new name we will be able to get a college or a university and our youth will access higher education with ease. We will be able to get a court and our more than 60,000 residents will no longer have to travel to Gatundu South or Thika for services," Njoroge said.
Other projects the lawmaker wants set up in the constituency include a lands registry and a modern market.
"It will ease my work of lobbying for vital development projects," he said.
Resident Cyrus Gachiki said they have been seeking health services in Gatundu South and Thika. He said the constituency does not even have a morgue.
"Our problems started when the larger Gatundu was split into North and South. We have suffered enough because of this name and we are behind our MP in his bid to have the name changed," Gachiki said.
Resident Peter Kiarie said they have to travel to Gatundu South to access water and electricity services.
"Let the name be changed to Mang'u because it's a popular name in the constituency. This way this area will be easily identified and we will get the development projects we deserve," Kiarie said.
Residents urged MP Njoroge to reach out to the relevant authorities to have the constituency renamed.
Edited by A.N