The campaign to elevate Thika Town to Kenya’s fifth city has entered a critical phase following the formal submission of the conferment report to the Senate by the Kiambu County Government. The proposal, backed by a resolution from the Kiambu County Assembly, envisions Thika’s transformation into a “Smart Industrial City.”

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi confirmed receipt of the resolution and referred the matter to the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations for review. The committee is expected to scrutinize the proposal and table its recommendations before the full Senate for debate and final approval.

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi strongly endorsed the bid, emphasizing that city status would catalyze Thika’s economic revival. “Elevating Thika to city status will revive its lost industrial glory and position it as the country’s biggest employer in the manufacturing sector,” said Wamatangi.

Historically a powerhouse in agro-processing and manufacturing, Thika has played a pivotal role in driving regional growth within the Mt. Kenya economic bloc. The elevation is anticipated to attract significant investment, spur infrastructure development, and create new employment opportunities.

If granted, Thika will join Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru as Kenya’s recognized cities — marking a strategic milestone in the country’s urban and economic development agenda.