- Kenya National Highways Authority pledges to build 61 kilometres of roads in the busy industrial town.
- The initiative aims to improve traffic flow for motorists entering and leaving the town.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi's initiative to transform Thika town into a city has gained momentum.
This follows a pledge by the Kenya National Highways Authority to build 61 kilometres of roads in the busy industrial town.
The roads, which have already been identified, will be constructed both within the town and on its outskirts, with an allocation of approximately Sh5 billion.
The initiative aims to improve traffic flow for motorists entering and leaving the town.
The county has announced plans to allocate Sh256 million for the Kenya Urban Support Programme and an additional Sh500 million to enhance informal settlements in Thika. This is alongside improvements to roads, hospitals and markets.
Ephraim Obuolloh, a senior engineer overseeing design at KeNHA, said a feasibility study as well as an environmental and social impact report have been finalised.
Currently, the design phase is in progress and subsequent public consultations will be held.
Obuolloh led a delegation from KeNHA for a meeting with Wamatangi at his office in Kiambu town.
They discussed various projects and potential areas of collaboration during the implementation phase.
Speaking during the meeting, the governor said enhancing the town's infrastructure would bring transformation for the community.
“We have made significant progress in our efforts to transform Thika into a smart city and have successfully completed public participation. Currently, a report is being drafted for submission to the county assembly for approval and subsequent forwarding to the Senate.”
“The roads are essential and time-sensitive. I am pleased that the President has approved my requests for this project. As the county government, we are dedicated to fulfilling all responsibilities allocated to us during the implementation process and ensuring the projects can move forward without any delay," he said.
The roads designated for dualling include the Gatitu-Kilimambogo stretch, spanning 20km and part of the Thika-Garissa Road for a distance of 22km.
Additionally, the Thika-Kenol Highway will get extra lanes on each side for 14km.
There will also be a new interchange at Blue Post for the 16km road connecting it to Gatanga.
In Thika town, the 4.4km stretch from Haile Selassie to the Upper Highway, Upper Road Roundabout and General Kago road will be upgraded to a dual carriageway.
The Magoko-Kenyatta Avenue Road and Kenyatta Highway, which runs past East Africa Paper Mills, will also be dualled.
The road leading from Zero Gravity Distilleries will also be expanded to a dual carriageway, extending from the Thika Bypass junction to the intersection near Makongeni police station.
Improvements have as well been planned for the Garissa Road-Thika Bypass junction near BAT Thika, the segment of the highway adjacent to Thika Sports Club and the Del Monte Junction.
Wamatangi urged KeNHA to look into the upgrading of the roads along the Kilimambogo-Juja Farm-Witethie route and the Gatuanyaga-Juja circuit.
He emphasised that the improvement would enhance access to the eastern side of the town and provide an alternative route for vehicles traveling to Nairobi from Garissa, Machakos and Kitui.
Gatuanyaga MCA Jackson Kungu said Thika was divided into two geographic sections: Thika West, which includes Thika town and Thika East which encompasses the less developed Ngoliba and Gatuanyaga wards.
With the planned development of the city largely dependent on the ceded Delmonte land in Gatuanyaga and Ngoliba, Kungu said he was optimistic of growth taking place in the two wards in future.
Wamatangi said once Thika achieves city status, it is projected to attract over Sh1 billion annually in grants.
This will be aimed at enhancing infrastructure, elevating social standards, fostering economic growth and increasing property values.
He said the county has earmarked 325 acres for an export processing zone.
This is in turn expected to create more investment opportunities and attract both domestic and foreign capital, particularly in the manufacturing, agro-processing and technology sectors.