The push to elevate Thika Municipality into a city has now reached a critical stage, with the Senate’s Devolution Committee formally starting the process of reviewing a resolution passed by the Kiambu County Assembly.

If successful, Thika would become Kenya’s sixth city after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.

The matter was officially brought before the Senate on Tuesday when Speaker Amason Kingi referred the resolution to the Devolution Committee, which is chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abass. Kingi directed the committee to handle the matter urgently and table its report for consideration.

“I direct that the committee expedites consideration of this matter and table the report for the Senate’s consideration,” said Kingi.

Last month, Kiambu Members of the County Assembly unanimously approved the proposal to confer city status on Thika. Their decision was based on a report from the assembly’s planning and urbanisation committee, which had reviewed submissions from public participation exercises and expert input.

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi led a delegation of county officials and ward representatives to present the resolution to the Senate. He expressed confidence that the Senate would endorse the proposal.

In February, the governor had submitted a report to the county assembly prepared by an ad hoc committee that he appointed to oversee the city status process. The team, chaired by former nominated senator Sylvia Kasanga, received wide support from the public and other stakeholders.

The planning committee of the assembly also carried out independent public participation forums before compiling the final report that was adopted by MCAs.

According to the report, Thika qualifies for elevation under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, having surpassed the legal population threshold of 250,000.

The 2019 census recorded 279,429 people living in Thika, and projections indicate the number could exceed 800,000 by 2039.

Beyond its population size, the municipality has an Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan, approved by both the county executive and assembly. The plan aligns with national and global goals for urban development.

The report further points out that Thika has solid revenue streams from land rates, business permits, parking fees, environmental charges and other sources. It also has established infrastructure, including road networks, electricity, clean water, and health and education services.

If the Senate Devolution Committee supports the resolution and the full Senate adopts it, the final step will be for the clerk of the Senate to forward the recommendation to President William Ruto. It is the President who will officially confer city status through the issuance of a charter.

The Senate committee now holds the key to Thika’s ambition of becoming the next city in Kenya.