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THIKA MUNICIPALITY SPATIAL PLAN (INTERGRATED URBAN
DEVELOPMENT PLAN)
KENYA URBAN SUPPORT PROGRAMME (KUSP)
Naomi Mirithu Director Municipal Administration & Urban Development.
Martin Kangiri Project Coordinator
Eric Matata Urban Planning and Management.
Josephine Wangui Social Development.
Keziah Mbugua Capacity Development.
Jennifer Kamzeh GIS Expert.
Maureen Gitonga Budget Officer.
Clare Wanjiku Procurement Officer.
Samuel Mathu Procurement Officer.
Hannah Njeri Communications.
James Njoroge Accountant.
Eng. John Wachira Infrastructure expert
.
Prepared for the
COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF KIAMBU
April 2018
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Urbanization in Kenya ........................................................................................................ 1
2. The Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP) ..................................................................... 2
3. Background Information for Thika Municipality .............................................................. 5
4. The Future functions of the Municipality. ....................................................................... 11
5. The Rationale of the Assignment ..................................................................................... 12
6. Criteria for establishment of Municipalities as per Section 9 of the Urban Areas and
Cities Act ................................................................................................................................. 14
6.1 Criteria 1: Population threshold for the Thika Municipality .................................... 14
6.2 Criteria 2: Integrated Strategic Urban Development plans (ISUDPs) for Thika
Town.17
6.3 Criteria 3: Revenue Potential, Expenditure and Budget ........................................... 19
6.4 Criteria 4: Capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations ............ 25
6.5 Criteria 5: Provision of essential services as per Schedule 1 of the Urban Areas and
Cities Act 2011. .................................................................................................................... 26
6.5.1 Planning and Development control .................................................................... 26
6.5.2 Physical Infrastructure ....................................................................................... 27
6.5.2.1 Roads, parking facilities, and public transport ............................................... 27
6.5.2.2 Storm Water Facilities .................................................................................... 32
6.5.2.3 Electricity, Reticulation and Street Lighting .................................................. 35
6.5.2.4 Fire fighting and Disaster Management ......................................................... 38
6.5.2.5 Water and Sewer Facilities ............................................................................. 40
6.5.2.6 Postal Services................................................................................................ 45
6.5.3 Social Infrastructures ......................................................................................... 45
6.5.3.1 Healthcare facilities, Ambulance services, Cemeteries and related Services 45
6.5.3.2 Funeral parlours, Cemeteries and Ambulance Services ................................. 49
6.5.3.3 Education Facilities ........................................................................................ 50
6.5.3.4 Financial infrastructure .................................................................................. 58
6.5.3.5 Recreational and Sporting facilities ............................................................... 58
6.5.3.6 Control of Drugs, Policing and Enforcement ................................................. 59
6.5.3.7 Abattoirs ......................................................................................................... 61
6.5.3.8 Markets ........................................................................................................... 62
6.6 Criteria 6: Public participation .................................................................................. 64
6.7 Criteria 7: Adequate Space of Expansion ................................................................. 67
iii
6.8 Criteria 8- Infrastructural facilities, including but not limited to, street lighting,
markets and fire stations ....................................................................................................... 69
6.9 Criteria 9- Solid Waste Management ........................................................................ 69
7. Recommendation and Conclusion .................................................................................... 71
References ................................................................................................................................ 73
iv
List of Figures
Figure 1: Thika Sub County Offices .......................................................................................... 5
Figure 2: Chania Bridge in the Thika Municipality .................................................................. 8
Figure 3: Pre-colonial Blue Post Hotel ...................................................................................... 9
Figure 4: Mugumo tree in Mugumo gardens in the Thika Municipality ................................ 10
Figure 5: Fourteen Falls along Athi River in the Thika Municipality .................................... 10
Figure 6: development applications approved for the sub county since the adoption of the
Electronic Development Applications Management System (e-DAMS). ............................... 27
Figure 7: Roads in Thika Township......................................................................................... 28
Figure 8: Thika Superhighway that Connects Thika to Nairobi and other counties ................ 29
Figure 9: Examples of Roads connecting Juja to Thika Superhighway .................................. 29
Figure 10: Thika Town Main Bus Park ................................................................................... 30
Figure 11: Drainage facilities along Garissa Road and Jamuhuri area in Thika Town ........... 32
Figure 12: Drainage channels along Gwa Kairu-Mugutha and Kimbo-Kiganjo Roads .......... 33
Figure 13: Thika Industrial Substation Project ........................................................................ 35
Figure 14: Electricity, Reticulation and Street Lighting in Thika and Juja respectively ......... 36
Figure 15: Firefighting Engine in Thika Fire station. .............................................................. 38
Figure 16: Firefighting Equipment in Thika Fire station. ........................................................ 39
Figure 17: Rescue Van/Ambulance in Thika Fire station. ....................................................... 40
Figure 18: Kang'oki Sewerage Treatment Works in Thika Municipality. ............................... 41
Figure 19: Ruiru Sewerage Treatment works. ......................................................................... 42
Figure 20: Thika Post Office.................................................................................................... 45
Figure 21: Ambulance at Thika Level 5 Hospital. ................................................................... 46
Figure 22: Public Cemetery and Thika War Cemetery. ........................................................... 49
Figure 23: General Kago Funeral Home in Thika Municipality.............................................. 49
Figure 24: Gretsa University in Thika Municipality................................................................ 50
Figure 25: Mt Kenya University, Main campus, located in Thika Municipality. .................... 51
Figure 26: Banking Facilities in Thika Municipality ............................................................... 58
Figure 27: Thika Stadium, Home to Thika United Football Club ........................................... 59
Figure 28: Christina Wangari Garden in Thika Town. ............................................................ 59
Figure 29: Thika Rehab Facility .............................................................................................. 60
Figure 30: Private owned Abattoir in Thika Municipality....................................................... 61
Figure 31: Small Scale Traders next to Thika bus station. ...................................................... 63
Figure 32: Kiambu County Residents participating in a stakeholders meeting ....................... 66
v
Figure 33: Private sector involvement in waste management ................................................. 70
Figure 34: Kang'oki dumpsite in Thika ................................................................................... 70
vi
List of Tables
Table 1: Urban Areas that Qualify for the KUSP Funding ........................................................ 2
Table 2: Essential Services to be provided by municipality as per the first schedule of the
Urban Areas and Cities Act ..................................................................................................... 13
Table 3: Population Projections for Thika Municipality ......................................................... 15
Table 4: Population Distribution and Density for Thika Municipality .................................... 15
Table 5: Cumulative Budget for FY 2014/2015 to 2017/2018 and projects for FY 20198/2019
.................................................................................................................................................. 19
Table 6: Expenditure for FY 2014/2015 to 2017/2018 and projects for FY 20198/2019 ....... 23
Table 7: Revenue generation potential .................................................................................... 25
Table 8: Status of Fire engines in Thika Municipality ............................................................ 39
Table 9: Summary of the design details for reticulation and trunk sewers. ............................. 43
Table 10: Summary of Health Facilities in Thika Municipality .............................................. 46
Table 11: Summary of Education infrastructure in municipalities ......................................... 51
Table 12: ECD/Primary Schools Enrolment in 2018 within the Municipality ....................... 52
Table 13: Private Primary Schools in the Municipality .......................................................... 54
Table 14: Public Secondary Schools within the municipality ................................................ 55
Table 15: Private Secondary Schools within the municipality ............................................... 56
Table 16: Abattoirs and slaughter houses within the Municipality ........................................ 61
Table 17: Locations of the markets within Thika sub county .................................................. 63
vii
List of Maps
Map 1: The Municipalities within Kiambu County .................................................................. 4
Map 2: The Thika Municipality ................................................................................................ 6
Map 3: Population distribution Map for 2009 Housing and Population Census ..................... 16
Map 4: Transport infrastructure within the Thika Municipality ............................................. 31
Map 5: Storm water facilities in Thika Municipality at Thika Town ..................................... 34
Map 6: Electricity Distribution including Power Reticulation and Transformers within the
Municipality. ............................................................................................................................ 37
Map 7: Sewerage Reticulation within Thika Town ................................................................. 44
Map 8: Health facilities within the Thika Municipality.......................................................... 48
Map 9: Education facilities within the Thika Municipality .................................................... 57
Map 10: The existing land uses within the municipality ........................................................ 68
viii
ABREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
CIDP County Integrated Development Plan
CSP County Spatial Plan
ECD Early Childhood Education
EFA Education for All
ICT Information Communication and Technology
KNBS Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
KPLC Kenya Power and Lighting Company
KUSP Kenya Urban Support Program
NaMSIP Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement Program
NBFI Non-Bank Financial Institutions
NEMA National Environment Management Authority
NMT Non-Motorized Transport
NSP National Spatial Plan
PSV Public Service Vehicle
RIV Rapid Intervention vehicle
SDG Sustainable Development Goal
SMS Short Messaging Services
TOD Traffic Oriented Development
UN United Nations
1
1. Urbanization in Kenya
The growth of any economy is based on urbanization. People move to the urban areas mostly
because of the job opportunities. As more enterprises and organizations are being established,
more people can have jobs hence they are able to improve their standards of living.
The world is urbanizing at a very rapid rate. According to a report by the UN Habitat
three out of ten people on the planet lived in urban areas by the mid-20th Century
(Habitat, 2010). In the beginning of the 21st Century, it is estimated that half of the
population lived in urban areas and it is projected that by the middle of the 21st
Century
all regions will be predominantly urban.
Like most African countries, Kenya has been urbanizing rapidly. While an estimated
20.4 percent of Kenya’s population lived in urban areas by the year 2000, the proportion
is estimated to reach 60 percent by the year 2030 (Kenya Vision 2030). Kenya’s Concept
Paper on National Spatial Plan (2016) indicates that Kenya’s population is quickly
urbanizing, estimated that about 50 % of the total population would live in urban areas by the
year 2050. This growth is largely due to a high level of rural-urban migration fuelled by rural
poverty and a dwindling per capita ownership of farming and grazing land.
Urban areas are more efficient than rural areas as there is less effort needed to supply basic
amenities such as electricity and fresh water. Transportation is not necessary because most
services are available on the spot. In most urban areas apartments are prevalent and the
inhabitants need smaller living areas. Urban lifestyle is also more convenient to the
population. There is easier accessibility of most amenities such as education, health, cultural
activities, social services, communication and transportation networks. There is also better
social integration in the urban areas which creates better understanding, tolerance and
acceptance due to elimination of social and cultural barriers. Urban areas are also centres of
technology and innovative solutions. In addition to the above, establishment of the
municipality will improve management of resources in these urban areas, increased value
addition of products, and enhance urban agriculture for sustainable food production.
Therefore, Urbanization is necessary for economic growth and development.
Kiambu County is fast urbanizing owing to her proximity to Nairobi, the Country’s capital. In
fact, it is the third most urbanized county after Nairobi and Mombasa at an average rate of 3.4
percent compared to the 4 percent National Urban Growth rate (Draft County Spatial Plan).
Kiambu Town is the County’s headquarter while Thika Town is the largest urban area in the
county owing to diverse functions including industrial, educational and residential functions.
Other towns are Kikuyu, Ruiru, Karuri, Juja, Limuru, Gatundu, Lari and Githunguri.
2
Given the high economic returns derived from the conversion of such agricultural land, many
owners have sought change of user and large tracts of such land have been transformed into
urbanized zones. Good examples are parts of the upcoming Tatu City, Thindigua Estate along
Kiambu Road, formerly under coffee and parts of the current Evergreen and Runda Estates.
Other areas undergoing a similar transition are Kidfarmaco Estate in Kikuyu, Githunguri
Ranch and the Nyakinyua farms next to Ruiru which are all now under residential and
commercial use. The new Tatu City, next to Ruiru, will claim more agricultural land. Thika
Landless and the neighbouring residential estates also sit on former agricultural land that
earlier fed Thika’s urban ecosystem. These conversions spell higher economic returns.
2. The Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP)
This is a World Bank funded project aimed at strengthening urban institutions to deliver
infrastructural and service delivery to the targeted areas. The project entails setting up of
urban areas in Kenyan counties. The project focuses on all urban areas that qualify for
conferment of Municipal or City status with exception of Nairobi and Mombasa City
Counties in accordance to Section 9 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
As such, the programme will benefit 59 urban areas, 45 being county headquarters (including
three Eldoret, Kisumu and Nakuru that qualify for conferment of cities status), and 14 that
would by themselves qualify for the status of Municipality by having over 70,000
inhabitants). The urban centres that qualified for the KUSP Fund are shown in table 1 below.
Table 1: Urban Areas that Qualify for the KUSP Funding
No. County Urban
area
Urban
population No. County
Urban
area)
population
Urban
1 Baringo Kabarnet 25,954 31
Machakos
Machakos 150,467
2 Bomet Bomet 83,440 32 Kangundo-
Tala 218,722
3 Bungoma
Bungoma 54,469 33 Mavoko 135,571
4 Kimilili 94,719 34 Makueni Wote 67,542
5 Busia Busia 50,099 35 Mandera Mandera 87,150
6 ElgeyoMaraket Iten 44,513 36 Marsabit Marsabit 14,474
7 Embu Embu 59,428 37 Meru Meru 57,940
8 Garissa Garissa 115,744 38 Migori Migori 66,234
9 Homa Bay Homa Bay 59,165 39 Awendo 108,742
3
10 Isiolo Isiolo 46,578 40 Rongo 81,968
11 Kajiado
Kajiado 14,434 41 Muranga Muranga 30,949
12 Ngong 107,042 42 Nakuru
Nakuru 367,183
13 Kakamega
Kakamega 90,670 43 Naivasha 170,551
14 Mumias 102,208 44 Nandi Kapsabet 87,850
15 Kericho Kericho 127,042 45 Narok Narok 37,129
16
Kiambu
Kiambu 83,265 46 Nyamira Nyamira 56,857
17 Karuri 115,731 47 Nyandarua OlKalou 67,186
18 Kikuyu 264,714 48 Nyeri Nyeri 117,297
19 Limuru 79,686 49 Samburu Maralal 15,213
20 Ruiru 240,226 50 Siaya Siaya 23,825
21 Thika 151,225 51 TaitaTaveta Wundanyi 6,576
22 Kilifi
Kilifi 47,957 52 Tana River Hola 17,124
23 Malindi 115,882 53 TharakaNithi Kathwana 0
24 Kirinyaga Kerugoya 35,343 54 Trans Nzoia Kitale 148,261
25 Kisii Kisii 81,318 55 Turkana Lodwar 47,101
26 Kisumu Kisumu 383,444 56 UasinGishu Eldoret 312,351
27 Kitui Kitui 115,183 57 Vihiga Vihiga 124,391
28 Kwale Kwale 21,378 58 Wajir Wajir 82,106
29 Laikipia Rumuruti 10,064 59 West Pokot Kapenguria 36,379
30 Lamu Lamu 18,328 TOTAL 5,576,38
*The highlighted towns are County Headquarters
Source: Project Operations Manual, World Bank
Project Beneficiaries
Kiambu County is the largest beneficiary of the fund with six urban centres for conferment
of Municipal Status. These are: Kiambu, Thika, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Karuri and Limuru. These
urban areas are critical in providing full range of services to the rural population. The centers
have an urban threshold of between 70,000 to 249,000 people and are projected to grow at an
annual rate of 3.4 percent per annum. These urban areas are also the major drivers of
urbanization and economic growth in the county, due to their endowment in agricultural
productivity, industrial activities, residential development, trade and commerce, as well as
core educational centres.
4
Map 1: The Municipalities within Kiambu County
Source: Kiambu County GIS Directorate
5
3. Background Information for Thika Municipality
Thika is a prominent industrial zone in Kiambu County that covers an area of 546KM2 with
its headquarters in Thika town at the current Thika Sub County offices, which were the
offices for the defunct Municipal Council of Thika (shown in figure 1 below). The
Municipality borders Muranga County to the North, Ruiru Sub County to the South, Gatundu
North and South to the West and Machakos County to the East. Map 2 shows the location of
the municipality as defined by the neighboring Counties/Sub Counties.
Figure 1: Thika Sub County Offices
Source: Field visit, May 2018
The history of Thika town dates back in the 1800, where Thika was just plains, bush and
forest that were home to a small populace of Kikuyu, Masaai and Kamba people before
pioneer settlers relocated to the area, almost at the turn of the 20th
Century. That was long
before the town, once known only as Chania Bridge, would attain its name. History indicates
that the Maasai and Kikuyu communities that lived here battled fiercely over the area where
the pools of water from Rivers Chania and Thika provided ideal grounds for the grazers and
farmers, respectively. The Maasai didn’t really fancy it for grazing, but they nonetheless did
come to graze.
6
Map 2: The Thika Municipality
Source: Kiambu County GIS Directorate
7
During a great drought, the Maasai people ventured outside of their normal territories looking
for water for their huge herds of cattle. This resulted into conflict with the Kikuyu who were
arable farmers and lived higher up because they wanted to be in an area where rainfall was
guaranteed and crops were assured. Two rivers, Thika and Chania, passed through Kikuyu
land, providing sustenance for the agricultural Kikuyu. With both tribes desperate for
survival, they fought a bloody battle that left few survivors. Tribesmen that perished during
that conflict were buried there. This potentially was the origin of the town’s name, “Guthika”,
which means “to bury” in Kikuyu language. A mound near Blue Posts Hotel supposedly
marks where the slain warriors were buried. Thika was also used as a memorial burial site for
soldiers who fought in World War II.
The other theory claims it was derived from the Maasai word "Sika" meaning "rubbing
something off an edge". At the end of the 1800s, there was a lot of rinderpest which affected
the cattle, and smallpox had affected the people. So, there was a lot of death of people and
livestock and the population was largely decimated.
The Indians were the earliest to settle in Thika, the earliest – Shah MeghjiLadha and Meghji
Kanji, coming to the area in 1910. In the old clock tower, still planted at the roundabout on
Kwame Nkurumah Road, stood provisional and agricultural stores. They built shops and
homes out of iron sheets. The whites came shortly after that to Thika and started coffee
plantations.
Towards the end of the 19th
Century, outsiders began to settle in this outpost as a convenient
resting spot between Nairobi and the upcountry highlands for British settlers. Majority of the
settlers who came to the area were of British aristocracy, of British-English Anglo-origin. By
1913 it was already a favourite camp for big-game hunters and beyond it there was only bush
and plain.
Both the Europeans and the Asians then settled in Thika, the former setting up farms and the
latter shops. A monument in the shape of a pillar was erected by the British in the early 1900s
in the central business district of Thika, commemorating the founding of Thika as a town.
The town was given its status by the government gazette in 1924. Thereafter it was elevated
to a municipality when Kenya gained independence in 1963, and the first mayor was chosen
in 1968. Those days, in Thika town, there were not more than 10 cars.
Sat Punja was among the first Indians to settle in Thika. An Ismaili by the name of Jamal
Hirji Ojami then opened the first store in 1914. Kanji Mepa& Co. also started a store in Saba
Saba, and soon after, in 1919, three brothers and a cousin – Shree Vershi Mepa, Mulji Mepa,
Devshi Mepa and Devshi Hadha– started Shah Vershi Devshi& Co, which specialized in
8
retail products and farming supplies. They became the major supplier of farming inputs.
Gradually, the settlement was being transformed from a sparsely populated bush area to a
growing industrial town.
In 1924, the name Thika was made official and the place finally chronicled. Thika would
expand to become a prominent metropolis, the setting of major industries, including Kenya
Canners, which later became Del Monte. In those early years, everything was Asian owned,
apart from Edmunds Butchery, which was the only European owned retail store in Thika.
They called Thika the industrial town, the Birmingham of Kenya.
Streams of water gently flow under the Chania Bridge, an old, narrow, structure – with iron
bars on either side. The pool of water ran quietly before suddenly gushing into a beautiful
cascade, the forceful spurt a tranquil, pleasant sound.
Figure 2: Chania Bridge in the Thika Municipality
Source :https://www.google.com/search?q=chania+falls&tbm
The Blue Post Hotel was founded in 1908 by Edward Sergent, who acquired the place from
its initial owner, Captain Ward. It consisted of a low-roofed, thatched grass hut whose
veranda posts were painted blue and gave the place its name.
9
Figure 3: Pre-colonial Blue Post Hotel
Source:https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa
In 1922, the Thika Sports Club was erected, and two years later, electricity was introduced, as
was the Thika Water Works. In 1948, the emergence of companies such as The Kenya
Tanning Extract Co. Ltd and City Brewery Ltd, among others, putting the metropolis on the
map. Theo West, a man who ran a big canning operation in England, decided to expand into
pineapple production. He went into partnership with Herbert's family and in 1949 started
Kenya Canners Ltd, which was bought out by Del Monte around 1965. International markets
started making their way into Thika, increasing industrialization which gave birth to the city.
Population grew from 4,500 people in 1948 to the current 139,853 people (according to the
2009 Census).
The town has historical sites like the Mugumo Gardens (Section 9 Estate), which is named
after the giant fig tree where the ancient legendary seer MugoWaKibiro prophesied. Believers
claim that all of his prophesies have come to pass. According to legend, the fall of the tree
would symbolize the fall of British rule in Kenya. The British government reinforced the tree
to prevent it from falling but it split into two parts and fell in two stages in 1963.
10
Figure 4: Mugumo tree in Mugumo gardens in the Thika Municipality
Source:http://www.explore254.com/kenya/listing/mugumo-gardens
The economic activities within and around Thika town include industries, agriculture,
particularly in the horticulture (exports mainly to Europe) and commerce. The main
industries include textile (cotton), food processing (pineapples, macadamia nuts and wheat),
tannery, motor vehicle assemblies and cigarette manufacturing. About one hundred small
scale industries and about twenty major factories exist in and around the town.
Thika Town is also home to Kenya’s magical and breathtaking Fourteen Falls which is
located 65 kilometres North East of Nairobi off the Thika-Garissa Road. The Fourteen Falls
consist of 14 distinct waterfalls on the broad section of the famous Athi River.
Figure 5: Fourteen Falls along Athi River in the Thika Municipality
Source:https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=
11
Juja Town
Within the Municipality falls Juja Town and the larger Juja Sub County. It is located
approximately 30km north of Nairobi Thika Super highway. Historical records available
indicate that sometimes in 1900 when Lord William Northrop Macmillan arrived in Nairobi
he was carrying two statues he had bought in West Africa. He had been told that one was
‘Ju’ and the other was ‘Ja’ and had been asked to preserve them-otherwise he would perish
at sea.
McMillan then settled on the road to Thika where he bought some 19,000 acres, at a time
when nobody was allowed to own more than 5,000 acres privately, he attributed it to the
powers of ‘Ju’ and ‘Ja’ idols and as a result he named the large expanse Ju-Ja Farm.
Because of the numerous superstition that surrounded Juja Farm, it became a no-go zone and
locals used to fear entry into a land they always heard had been jinxed. As a result,
McMillan’s wife took the two idols from the house and buried them in Ndarugu valley, near
Thika Town. As a result, the name Juja started entering into annals of colonial history in
Kenya and interestingly refused to give way to its former name ‘Weru wa Ndarugu’, the
Ndarugu plains.
Juja town is one of the fastest growing urban centers in Kiambu County as a result of
construction of Thika Super Highway, existence of institutions such JKUAT, AICAD, ready
market as a result of the ever increasing population among others.
Juja hosts Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), African
Institute of Capacity Development (AICAD), The Ruiru Sports and Golf Club, Senate Hotel,
Mangu High School, Glowbal TechXperts limited, Juja City Mall, Ruiru Juja Water and
Sewerage Company (RUJWASCO), a service company that provides piped water and
sewerage services to Ruiru, Juja and its environs and Thika Power Plant among others.
4. The Future functions of the Municipality.
Prominence of Thika as a fast growing industrial town was as a result of many industrial
developments within the town. It is one of the top industrial towns in Kenya and was once
compared with the Birmingham City in the United Kingdom. Before the emergence of Athi
River town, Thika's position in industrial development was undisputed. Thika has basically
all spheres of industrial development spanning dozens of decades. When planning the town's
future development plan, the administrators in Thika drew parallels with Birmingham Town
due to the endless similarities. On this onset, the main objective is to plan a similar blueprint
12
to catapult Kenya to economic success that is enjoyed by Birmingham city. There are a
number of industrial establishments in Thika Town including;
1. Bidco Oil Industries, 11. Salama Clothing Manufacturers,
2. Thika Motor Vehicle dealers, 12. Kenya Tanning Extracts Limited,
3. Thika Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Limited, 13. Alliance One Tobacco (Kenya) Ltd
4. Devki Steel Mills, 14. Alpha Knits Ltd
5. Broadway Bakeries, 15. Mama Millers Limited
6. Kenblest Industry, 16. Intel Fire Group of Companies
7. Kel Chemicals, 17. Thika Cloth Mills Ltd
8. Thika Rubber Industries Limited, 18. Delmonte
9. Macadamia Nuts, 19. Centrofood Industries Ltd
10. Kenya Vehicle manufacturers, 20. United Textile Industry (K) Ltd,
21. British American Tobacco, 24. Saana Shoes Ltd
22. Kenya Cereals, 25. Imara Enterprises Ltd
23. Campwell Industry, 26. Ready Timber Merchants
In addition, Thika and Juja are emerging as favorable locations for education facilities.
Thika Municipality hosts a number of educational institutions ranging from higher education
centres to the lowest level. It boasts of hosting the following major institutions;
1. The Mount Kenya University,
2. Gretsa University,
3. Jomo Kenyatta University (JKUAT),
4. Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC),
5. Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences
6. Thika Institute of Technology
7. Thika Technical training Institute
8. Thika Institute of Business Studies
5. The Rationale of the Assignment
The promulgation of the new Constitution of Kenya in 2010 opened a new chapter towards
development and management of urban areas within the Country. The Constitution through
Article 184 provided for legislation of Urban Areas and Cities Act which would enhance
governance and management ofurban areas and cities.
In 2011, the National Assembly formulated the Urban Areas and Cities Act. This gave effect
to Article 184 of the Constitution whose mandate include the following;
13
Establishing criteria for classifying areas as urban areas and cities;
Establishing the principles of governance and management of urban areas and cities;
and
Providing for participation by residents in the governance of urban areas and cities,
andfor connected purposes.
Section 9 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act provide the procedure and criteria for
establishment of Municipalities for towns that fulfill the conditions set out in sub section 3 of
the same Act as follows;
a) Has a population of at least between seventy thousand and two hundred and forty-nine
thousand residents according to the final gazetted results of the last population census
carried out by an institution authorized under any written law, preceding the grant;
b) Has an integrated development plan in accordance with this Act;
c) Has demonstrable revenue collection or revenue collection potential;
d) Has demonstrable capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations;
e) Has the capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver essential services to its residents
as provided in the First Schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities Act;
f) Has institutionalised active participation by its residents in the management of its
affairs;
g) Has sufficient space for expansion;
h) Has infrastructural facilities, including but not limited to, street lighting, markets and
fire stations; and
i) Has a capacity for functional and effective waste disposal
However, notwithstanding the provisions above, the County Governor shall confer the status
of a special municipality to the headquarters of the county evenwhere it does not meet the
threshold specified under subsection 3 above.Further, Schedule of the Urban Areas and Cities
Act provides the services that a Municipality should be able to provide to her residents as
outlined in table 2 below;
Table 2: Essential Services to be provided by municipality as per the first schedule of
the Urban Areas and Cities Act
1. Planning and
Development Control 8. Libraries
15. Electricity and Gas
Reticulation
22. Local Distributor
Roads
2. Traffic Control and
Parking 9. Storm Drainage 16. Abattoirs
23. Conference
Facilities
3. Water and Sanitation 10. Ambulance Services 17. Refuse Collection 24. Community
14
Centres
4. Street Lighting 11. Heath Facilities 18. Solid waste
management 25. Hotel Homestays
5. Outdoor Advertising 12. Fire Fighting and
Disaster Management 19. Air noise 26. Guest Houses
6. Cemeteries and
Crematoria 13. Control of Drugs
20. Child Care
Facilities 27. County Hospital
7. Public Transport 14. Sports and Cultural
Activities
21. Pre-Primary
Education
28. Constituent
University Campuses
29. Polytechnic 37. National Theatre 45. Emergency
Preparedness 53. Cemetery
30. Training Institution 38. Theatre 46. Postal services 54. Recreational
Parks
31. National School 39. Library Service 47. National TV station 55. Management of
Markets
32. County School 40. Administrative Seat 48. National Radio
Station
56. Marine Water
front
33. Municipal Stadium 41. Financial Hub 49. Regional Radio
Station
57. Animal control
and welfare
34. Stadium 42. Museum 50. Community Radio 58. Religious
Institution
35. Airport 43. Historical Monument 51. Casinos 59. Organized Public
Transport
36. Airstrip 44. Fire Station 52. Funeral Parlor
6. Criteria for establishment of Municipalities as per Section 9 of the Urban Areas and
Cities Act
6.1 Criteria 1: Population threshold for the Thika Municipality
According to the Urban Areas and Cities Act, a town is eligible for conferment of a
municipal status if the town satisfies criteria of a population of at least between 70,000 and
249,000 residents based on the final report Gazetted by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
(KNBS). According to the 2009 Population and Housing Census, the Thika Municipality had
a population of 245,114 in 2009. The municipality is projected to have an estimated
population of 331,172 in 2018 and 378,560 in 2022 using a growth rate of 3.4 percent per
annum as stipulated in the National Spatial Plan (NSP). Table 1.1 below gives the population
figures for the Thika Municipality based on 2009 National census, as well as projections for
2013, 2018 and 2022.
15
Table 3: Population Projections for Thika Municipality
WARD MALE FEMALE 2009
Census
2013
(Projections)
2018
(Projections)
2022
(Projections)
Township 17,502 19,720 37,222 42,548 50,290 57,487
Karimenu 4,454 4,960 9,414 10,761 12,719 14,539
Hospital 47,137 44,999 92,136 105,320 124,484 142,297
Gatuanyaga 4,622 4,425 9,047 10,342 12,223 13,972
Murera 2,934 2,953 5,887 6,729 7,954 9,092
Theta 6,031 5,605 11,636 13,301 15,721 17,971
Juja 17,298 16,836 34,134 39,018 46,118 52,717
Witeithie 13,357 12,420 25,777 29,466 34,827 39,811
Kalimoni 10,165 9,696 19,861 22,703 26,834 30,674
TOTAL 123,500 121,614 245,114 280,188 331,172 378,560
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Table 4: Population Distribution and Density for Thika Municipality
Population
(2009)
Density
(KM2)
Population
(2013)
Density
(KM2)
Population
(2015)
Density
(KM2)
Population
(2018)
Density
(KM2)
245,114
1,125 280,188
1,224 336,315 1,332 331,172
1,409
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
The 2018 population of 138,952 residents falls in the category of the Urban Areas and Cities
Act population for a Municipality which should be 70,000 to 249,000 residents.
16
Map 3: Population distribution Map for 2009 Housing and Population Census
Source: National Housing and Population Census, 2009
17
6.2 Criteria 2: Integrated Strategic Urban Development plans (ISUDPs) for Thika
Town.
It is a requirement that any physical planning works being undertaken must be guided by all
the existing laws and regulations including The Constitution of Kenya 2010, The Physical
Planning Act Cap 286, The County Governments Act No. 17 of 2012, The Urban Areas and
Cities Act No. 13 of 2011 among others.
The promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010 marked a new dawn for the country in all
aspects including planning and use of land and all resources on it. It is the supreme law and it
guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizens. The Constitution lays a
foundation for Kenya’s planning practices from preparation to implementation. Planning has
been fully entrenched in the Constitution specifically, Chapter 4 on Bill of Rights, Chapter 5
on Land and Environment and Chapter 11 on Devolved Government.
Enacted in 1996, The Physical Planning Act aims at developing a sound spatial framework
for co-existence, through plan proposals that enhance and promote integrated spatial/ physical
development of socio-economic activities. Section 29 of the Physical Planning Act provides
that each local authority shall have power to prohibit or control the use and development of
land and buildings in the interest of proper and orderly development of its area and to
consider and approve all development applications and grant all development permissions.
The County Government Act guides governance, planning and development of Counties.
Section 104 of this Act requires that every County Government prepares Planning
frameworks that should form the basis for appropriation of public funds. The Planning
framework shall be developed by the County Executive Committee and approved by the
County Assembly. The County Planning framework is required to integrate economic,
physical, social, environmental and spatial planning for the county as stipulated in Sections
102 to Section 115 of the Act. The Draft County Spatial Plan provides a basis for preparation
of Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plans for all towns and urban areas within the
jurisdiction of the County.
The Urban Areas and Cities Act was formulated in pursuit of Article 184 of the Constitution
to provide for the classification, governance and management of urban areas and cities; to
provide for the criteria of establishing urban areas, to provide for the principle of governance
and participation of residents and for connected purposes. Part V of this act provides for
preparation of Integrated Development Plans for the municipalities and towns. Further the act
provides for preparation of development plans for all the urban areas established under the
Act. The Integrated Urban Development Plans shall bind, guide and inform all planning
18
development and decisions and ensure comprehensive inclusion of all functions. Further,
lower level urban plans shall be prepared for any settlement within the County with a
population threshold of 2,000. It is worth noting that the Urban Area Integrated Development
Plan must be aligned to the development plans and strategies of the County Government.
The ISUDP for Thika Town was completed in September 2015. However; it is yet to be
adopted.
The process of preparing the Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan (ISUDP) for the
entire Juja Sub County is ongoing under the auspice of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services
Improvement Programme (NaMSIP). The programme is funded by the World Bank, through
the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing& Urban Development, in a bid to improve
services in the urban areas falling within the Nairobi Metropolitan Region (NMR). The main
objective of the project is to strengthen urban services and infrastructure in the Nairobi
metropolitan region. Other objectives are;
1. To determine the boundaries of the planning area considering projected requirements
for urban land within the plan period;
2. To analyse demographic changes in the last ten years and those expected over the life
of the plan, and how these relate to economic changes, welfare and administrative
shifts;
3. To identify development constraints, potentials and challenges of the planning area
(social, economic, infrastructure and environmental profiling) and propose strategies
to address them;
4. To identify environmental issues and propose strategies for effective environmental
management including, amongst others, climate change adaptation and disaster risk
reduction and management measures;
5. To allocate sufficient space for various land uses, including recreation and open
spaces, to ensure efficient function and convenience of users and accommodate
future growth;
6. To uphold innovative civic and urban design that enhances the character and form of
the planning area;
7. To provide a basis for development control and investment decisions; and
8. To develop a plan implementation and monitoring framework.
19
6.3 Criteria 3: Revenue Potential, Expenditure and Budget
Table 5: Cumulative Budget for FY 2014/2015 to 2017/2018 and projection for FY 20198/2019
CUMMULATIVE REVENUE PER MANAGEMENT UNITS FOR FY-2014/2015 TO 2017/2018 AND PROJECTIONS FOR 2018/2019 FOR
THIKA
MANAGEMENT UNIT DESCRIPTION 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 PROJECTIO
NS 2018/2019
AVERAGE
CONTRIBUTI
ON TO
REVENUE IN
%
Agriculture Livestock & Fisheries Management
Unit
0.25
Agricultural Services 138,743.69
1,442,783.00
1,259,206.00
2,291,963.00
2,521,159.30
Physical Planning Management Unit 13.42
Fees for Evaluation of Building plans and permits
36,196,840.70
70,858,159.00
50,763,108.00
22,163,620.00
24,379,982.00
Fees for physical planning services
9,394,499.64
18,390,471.00
24,356,155.00
19,430,156.00
21,373,171.60
Fees for construction inspection, Enforcement and
Occupation permits
13,296,625.05
26,029,188.00
20,884,281.00
5,150,112.00
5,665,123.20
Outdoor Advertisement and Signages
11,517,601.67
22,546,610.00
26,766,236.00
17,211,806.00
18,932,986.60
Registration fees
2,509,964.16
4,913,452.00
3,359,587.00
2,701,056.00
2,971,161.60
Fees for land Surveying
32,182.62
63,000.00
15,000.00
60,000.00
66,000.00
Fees for Land Valuation services Land Rates and
Property mngt
51,083.52
100,000.00
7,500.00
15,000.00
16,500.00
Estate & Property Development Services
-
-
-
-
-
Business Permit Management Unit
-
-
-
9.36
Business Permit
20
97,077,514.72 88,734,718.00 66,116,390.00 42,382,574.00 46,620,831.40
General Charges for Non Annual Traders
-
-
-
-
-
Cess Management Unit
-
-
-
9.5
Quarry Cess
93,627,296.95
91,017,700.00
63,590,200.00
29,576,000.00
32,533,600.00
Livestock Cess
-
-
26,456,863.00
-
-
Goods transportation charges
4,362,492.17
4,240,900.00
1,297,170.00
5,051,200.00
5,556,320.00
Education Culture ICT & Social Services Unit
-
-
-
0.01
Registration of self help groups and education
institutions
290,156.00
247,360.00
93,500.00
-
-
Health Services Management Unit
-
-
-
26.23
Public Health 13,778,640.59
12,559,780.00
17,044,575.00
13,636,370.00
15,000,007.00
Hospitals 127,152,561.4
6
115,904,627.0
0
99,943,948.00
71,327,801.00
78,460,581.10
Health management services 562,372.58
512,625.02
276,000.00
16,000.00
17,600.00
NHIF
61,418,611.49
55,985,512.00
56,791,862.00
73,875,553.40
81,263,108.74
Housing Management Unit
-
-
-
0.52
Stalls/Shops
6,332,995.42
1,308,310.00
972,000.00
535,010.00
588,511.00
County Rental Housing Property
7,948,881.97
1,642,130.00
586,640.00
310,000.00
341,000.00
Land Rates Management Unit
-
-
-
12.41
21
Property Rate Charges
79,780,814.71
118,003,690.0
0
117,458,471.0
0
61,510,149.00
67,661,163.90
Market Management Unit
-
-
-
0.99
Market Charges 13,336,346.90
11,621,701.00
8,899,564.00
2,425,978.00
2,668,575.80
Others
-
-
-
4.14
General Charges
60,556,220.38
68,844,251.26
19,431,200.00
14,578,351.00
16,036,186.10
Impounding and demurrage charges
178,676.75
210,080.00
39,000.00
4,000.00
4,400.00
Withdrawal of Court bond
178,438.60
209,800.00
3,600.00
-
-
Administration and Public Service
-
-
23,500.00
377,000.00
414,700.00
Insurance Compensation
-
2,355,000.00
-
-
-
Loan Mortgage Interest
-
-
-
-
-
Others
-
-
-
-
-
Roads Transport Public Works Management Unit
-
-
-
0.74
Fire fighting and other services
1,077,204.41
2,498,550.00
3,306,250.00
4,456,500.00
4,902,150.00
Public works and utility charges
1,428,124.15
3,312,500.00
654,800.00
342,050.00
376,255.00
Hire of county grounds or halls
191,767.43
444,800.00
64,000.00
81,000.00
89,100.00
Stadium hire
114,422.39
265,400.00
389,316.00
259,700.00
285,670.00
Fees for Tender Forms and Quantity Survey Services -
22
for Public Works - - 20,000.00 22,000.00
Infrastructure Maintenance Fees
-
-
-
2,800.00
3,080.00
Slaughter House Management Unit
-
-
-
1.38
Slaughter house fees 6,270,027.35
10,676,477.00
13,526,083.00
8,114,738.00
8,926,211.80
Trade Tourism Industry & Cooperatives Unit
-
-
-
1.14
Fees for Co-operative services
632,842.26
1,573,697.00
1,950,307.00
954,841.00
1,050,325.10
Wayleave Charges and Rent
262,193.52
652,000.00
3,592,000.00
83,275.00
91,602.50
14 Falls Charges
1,255,798.38
3,122,810.00
4,477,515.00
2,773,850.00
3,051,235.00
Weights and Measures
1,060,166.62
2,636,330.00
3,246,340.00
2,741,850.00
3,016,035.00
Betting and Control
70,977.23
176,500.00
260,750.00
-
-
AMS Ruiru
-
-
-
-
-
Other Charges
13,019.20
32,375.00
1,500.00
88,700.00
97,570.00
Vehicle Parking Management Unit
-
-
-
-
14.57
Vehicle parking charges (daily, monthly & annual) 121,912,469.8
4
126,875,860.0
0
113,766,760.0
0
74,236,860.00
81,660,546.00
Water Environment & Natural Resources
Management Unit
-
-
-
2.98
Solid Waste Management Charges
28,695,311.75
23,755,838.00
14,903,952.00
10,074,450.00
11,081,895.00
Solid Waste Management Services
8,078,186.37
6,687,646.00
6,161,500.00
363,000.00
399,300.00
23
Environental Management Services Fees
29,231.83
24,200.00
30,800.00
17,600.00
19,360.00
Conservancy
1,578,327.80
1,306,642.00
-
-
-
Pollution
31,889.27
26,400.00
-
-
-
Liqour Licences Management Unit
-
-
-
2.36
Alcohol licence fees
18,985,097.44
30,948,000.00
36,958,000.00
2,273,000.00
2,500,300.00
Direct Transfers
-
6,525,434.00
9,000.00
54,042.00
59,446.20
OWN REVENUE COLLECTED
831,406,618.9
9
939,283,306.2
8
809,734,429.0
0
491,567,955.4
0
540,724,750.9
4
EQUILISATION FUND
723,874,122.3
2
1,067,767,946
.88
842,870,224.5
5
586,155,164.3
4
645,309,308.6
8
TOTALS 1,555,280,741
.31
2,007,051,253
.16
1,652,604,653
.55
1,077,723,119
.74
1,186,034,059
.62
100
Table 6: Expenditure for FY 2014/2015 to 2017/2018 and projection for FY 20198/2019
EXPENDITURE 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 PROJECTIONS
2018/2019
Compensation to Employees
669,420,999.75
908,450,290.31
775,777,847.57
629,915,736.41
692,907,310.05
Use of goods and services
262,631,347.75
455,229,067.17
345,186,594.60
155,202,404.92
170,722,645.41
Subsidies - - - - -
Transfer to other Government Units
129,130,543.99
180,575,301.05
188,143,808.70
101,505,284.56
111,655,813.01
Other Grants and Transfers
22,570,177.63
30,861,542.09
20,308,511.38
23,336,251.99
25,669,877.19
24
Social Security Benefits -
24,521,767.22
11,136,150.00
32,523.12
35,775.43
Acquisition of Assets
453,625,511.05
351,360,258.30
293,084,522.95
162,419,235.50
178,661,159.05
Finance Costs including Loan Interest - - - -
Repayment of Principal on Domestic and Foreign
Borrowing
- - - -
Other Payments
15,561,667.97
54,216,510.69
17,232,490.89
4,466,019.24
4,912,621.16
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
1,552,940,248.15
2,005,214,736.83
1,650,869,926.09
1,076,877,455.74
1,184,565,201.31 Source: ICT and Economic planning Department, Kiambu County
25
6.4 Criteria 4: Capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations
Table 7: Revenue generation potential
2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 PROJECTIONS
2018/2019
TOTAL REVENUE
1,555,280,741.31
2,007,051,253.16
1,652,604,653.55
1,077,723,119.74
1,186,034,059.62
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
1,552,940,248.15
2,005,214,736.83
1,650,869,926.09
1,076,877,455.74
1,184,565,201.31
SURPLUS(DEFICIT)
2,340,493.16
1,836,516.33
1,734,727.46
845,664.00
1,468,858.31 Source: ICT and Economic planning Department, Kiambu county
NOTES
1. There is potential to increase revenue, though the trend seems to be having a downwards change but it was due to court case challenges in
2016/2017 by the business community and 2017/2018 prolonged political period among other factors such as transition of government with
enhanced enforcement from the main revenue sources with all other factors held constant.
2. Figures for FY 2017/2018 includes two months projections i.e May and June
3. Figures for FY 2018/2019 are projected by 10 percent
4. The functionalities that will be devolved in the municipalities can be done so systematically based on the financial capacity.
5. The Institution should develop systems that shall enhance absorption capacity of available resources
6. Allocation of funds to the municipality shall be done in accordance to the PFM Act 2012 Provisions and any other relevant Laws.
26
6.5 Criteria 5: Provision of essential services as per Schedule 1 of the Urban Areas
and Cities Act 2011.
6.5.1 Planning and Development control
Thika Municipality has a well-established section for planning and development control
which is charged with the responsibility of undertaking all planning related matters for the
sub county. Having hosted a municipality before the devolution, the town has the ability to
offer planning and development control services to the residents. The section is mandated to
receive, vet, approve or decline development applications for any development being
undertaken within the Sub County. In addition, the section is mandated to develop and
implement development policies and regulations for all the zones within the sub county
boundaries. Further, the section advises members of the public on all physical planning and
development matters. It also enforces development regulations within the sub county
boundary to ensure full compliance.
Planning is a devolved function as per the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Planning and
development control is undertaken at the sub county offices within the two sub counties
(Thika and Juja). The department has adequate technical staffs that carry out routine
monitoring and evaluation of ongoing developments. At the moment the department
undertakes about 50% of planning and development control, however, this is expected to rise
to 80% enforcement by the year 2022. There exist two department vehicles that serves both
Juja and Thika, however, with the deployment of staff to municipalities there will be need to
get more vehicles that will be adequate for planning enforcement.
27
Figure 6: development applications approved for the sub county since the adoption of
the Electronic Development Applications Management System (e-DAMS).
Source: Directorate of Urban Development and Management
6.5.2 Physical Infrastructure
The municipality has the capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver services to its
residents as evidenced by availability of physical infrastructure. The following is an account
of the infrastructure facilities in the Thika Municipality.
6.5.2.1 Roads, parking facilities, and public transport
The Municipality is externally serviced by an eight-lane superhighway, a highway to Garissa
and the rest of North-East Kenya, a highway to the central highlands and a railway line (with
plans to add a passenger light rail to Nairobi).
There is an ongoing initiative by the Nairobi Metropolitan Service Improvement Programme
(NAMSIP) in Thika Sub County. The initiative is funded by the World Bank and is aimed at
improving and developing an integrated transport system to serve the metropolitan areas. The
Programme includes rehabilitation of existing railway lines and train stations for commuter
transport to and from the metropolitan towns to Nairobi City. It also covers parking areas and
access roads to the rail stations and non-motorized traffic lanes. The National government
through Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is opening up 25-kilometre link roads within
Thika Town Constituency in a bid to decongest the town and stimulate the region's economy.
28
Phase I will cover 10Km from the Del Monte shop along the Nairobi-Nyeri Highway through
Imani School, Del Monte factory, link up with Oloitiptip Road and join Thika
Garissa Highway at the BAT junction.
Phase II will see the upgrading of the BAT-Kiganjo to Kiganjo Corner 1, another link road
starting from Kivulini (Kisii Estate) to cut across Kang’oki and then end at Kiganjo Corner 1
with another road starting at Engen Petrol Station via Kiang’ombe and to join the bypass
from Corner 1.There will be a road stretching through Athena, behind Kiandutu and
join Thika Superhighway near the former Castle Industry as well as a link road to the same
coming from Broadway High School and through Kiandutu that will link up with the bypass
near Athena Estate. The construction of the Engen-Kiang'ombe-Kiganjo bypass is on-going.
The Municipality has also seen rehabilitation of Kimbo-Matangi-Murera, Gwa Kairu-
Mugutha and maintenance of Kimbo-Kiganjo Roads. Juja-Juja Farm Road is also earmarked
for rehabilitation through Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
Figure 7: Roads in Thika Township
Source: Field Survey, May 2018
29
Figure 8: Thika Superhighway that Connects Thika to Nairobi and other counties
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Figure 9: Examples of Roads connecting Juja to Thika Superhighway
Source: Field survey, May 2018
The Thika Municipality has one bus park and several temporary pick up points located
within the central business district. It is served by public transport with a total number of
3,251 buses and Matatus registered with the Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works
and utilities, which are wholly owned by the private sector. Map 3 illustrates transport
infrastructure within the Thika Municipality.
30
Figure 10: Thika Town Main Bus Park
Source: Field survey, May 2018
The municipality has a direct linkage to Jomo Kenyatta International airport, through the
Thika superhighway and the Eastern bypass to Mombasa road.
31
Map 4: Transport infrastructure within the Thika Municipality
Source: Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utility Services
32
Figure 11: Drainage facilities along Garissa Road and Jamuhuri area in Thika Town
6.5.2.2 Storm Water Facilities
In the Fourth schedule, Part 2 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the County Government is
mandated to provide County public works and services including water and sanitation
services, and storm water drainage. Urban storm water management is becoming increasingly
important for towns especially in developing countries. Storm water is all the water that runs
off the land after a rainfall or snowmelt incident. This is a natural process but in urban areas,
proper infrastructure needs to be put in place. Storm water management in Kiambu’s urban
areas is important as it controls flooding and erosion, thus replenishing flows into streams
and rivers.
The extent of storm water drainage becomes particularly apparent when there is heavy
rainfall that floods settlements situated in the lowest parts of urban areas thereby causing
infrastructure damage.
The County Government, through the Directorate of Public Works and Utilities, has outlined
that in Juja there is 3.2KM of main drain line, and 11KM of excavated earth drains. There is
also storm water drainage in all major streets within Thika and Juja Townships as illustrated
in the photos below. There is an earth drain along the Kakuzi, and Garissa roads.
Maintenance of all storm water drains within the municipality is ongoing. Further, more
investment in storm water management in built-up areas is needed in Thika.
Source: Field Survey, May 2018
33
Figure 12: Drainage channels along Gwa Kairu-Mugutha and Kimbo-Kiganjo Roads
Source: Field Survey, May 2018
34
Source: Draft Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan for Thika Town
Map 5: Storm water facilities in Thika Municipality at Thika Town
Paved drain on
both sides
Unpaved drain on
both sides
Paved drain
on both sides Paved drain on
both sides No drains
provided
Existing
paved drains
Paved drain on
one side Unpaved drain on one side
From Gretsa University
to BAT junction paved
on one side
35
6.5.2.3 Electricity, Reticulation and Street Lighting
According to Kenya Power 2017 report Kiambu County had electricity coverage of 66 per
cent. The quality of power supply to the industries and residents of Thika town is set to
greatly improve following the completion of a 66/11 KV substation with two 45 MVA
transformers at Makongeni which currently serves 60 percent of the population. The ultra-
modern facility, constructed by Kenya Power at a total cost of Kshs 642 million, has adequate
capacity to accommodate additional power demand by existing industries who would like to
expand their operations, as well as new industrial and commercial enterprises.
The Thika Industrial Substation Improvement Project under the KPLC is speedily
implementing a flagship project to develop at least 5,000 MW of additional generation
capacity by 2019. The ambitious plan will increase the effective generation capacity by about
300% from the current 1,652 MW to 6,652 MW.
Figure 13: Thika Industrial Substation Project
Source: Field survey, May 2018
The Directorate of Public Works and Utility services in the County had, by the FY2016/2017,
installed several flood masts in Thika which include: 11 masts of 30M high, 15 masts of 15M
high and 9 masts of 30M high, 11 masts of 15M high in Juja.
Kenya Power has also played a key role in providing 12 other street lighting masts which are
30M high.
36
Figure 14: Electricity, Reticulation and Street Lighting in Thika and Juja respectively
Source: Field survey, May 2018
37
Map 6: Electricity Distribution including Power Reticulation and Transformers within the Municipality.
Source: Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utility Services
38
6.5.2.4 Fire fighting and Disaster Management
Fourth schedule, Part 2 of the Constitution of Kenya, stipulates that the County Government
should provide for Firefighting and disaster management services to its residents. Further the
Kiambu County Emergency Fund Act 2013 was enacted in December 2013. In each financial
year, monies contained in the fund are 0.5% of the Counties budget. The purpose of the fund
is to enable payments to be made in respect of a County when an urgent and unforeseen need
for expenditure arises for which there is no specific legislative authority and it is for public
interest. This payment may be necessary to alleviate the damage, loss, hardship or suffering
which may be directly caused by unforeseen event.
The Directorate of Public Works and Utilities has put in place measures for emergency fires
and accident in fire and rescue section. There are plans underway to build capacity within the
township to ensure timely fire response. There is one fire station in the township located 8km
from Thika Town along the Thika – Garissa Road which is operational throughout.
Figure 15: Firefighting Engine in Thika Fire station.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Other achievements of the fire and rescue department include: reduction of emergency
response time, fire safety and audit, training of fire officers and installation of fire hydrants.
39
Figure 16: Firefighting Equipment in Thika Fire station.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Table 8 below shows the status of fire engines in the municipality.
Table 8: Status of Fire engines in Thika Municipality
Source: Department of Roads, Transport, Public Works and Utility Services
The municipality provides rescue and emergency services to its residents. It has a total of 28
staff who serve the Thika, Juja, Gatundu North and Gatundu South subcounties.
FIRE ENGINE STATUS
Thika 1 No. 4500L Fire Engine Functional
1 No. 4500L Fire Engine Serviceable
1 No. 10,000L Serviceable
1 No. Rescue Van Functional
1 No. 400L Rapid Intervention vehicle (RIV) Serviceable
40
Figure 17: Rescue Van/Ambulance in Thika Fire station.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
6.5.2.5 Water and Sewer Facilities
In the Fourth Schedule, Part 2 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the County Government is
mandated to provide County public works and services including water and sanitation
services. The Thika municipality has a total of 46,000 water connections that serve a
population of approximately 205,000 residents out of which 41,000 are active connections.
The total quantity of water supplied is approximately 11,680M3 per day.
Thika town has a convectional sewer treatment system that was established in 1978 with a
design capacity of 6,000 cubic meters. It is however operating at an exceeded capacity of
8,000 cubic meters daily.
It is important to note that the sewer reticulation does not cover the entire Thika Town. Due
to the increased urbanization, the old sewer network has experienced increased operational
costs due rising fuel prices. The pumping generators are expensive to maintain and
replacement of the worn out machinery is expensive. A map of the existing sewerage
reticulation in Thika is shown in Map 6 below
Juja on the other hand has had no sewer system resulting to usage of septic tanks for waste
management. Apart from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology that
has installed a sewer system, all the other developments rely on septic tanks which are not
only unsustainable but also a health hazard.
Athi Water Services Board in partnership with the Ministry of Transport Infrastructure,
Housing & Urban Development, through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement
Program is financing investments in infrastructure and service delivery in Kenya’s largest and
most economically important urban conurbation with Thika and Juja townships as a
41
beneficiary. The project will involve installation of sewerage system in Juja and the Southern
part of Thika Town. The project is currently in phase II and has various components outlined
below.
Figure 18: Kang'oki Sewerage Treatment Works in Thika Municipality.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Juja Sewerage System
Waste Water Stabilization Ponds and Sewerage Treatment Plant
Juja Trunk Sewers will drain to Ruiru Treatment Works site where Phase 1 of the project is
currently ongoing. The land is approximately 20 Hactares and is owned by the former Ruiru
Municipal Council. There exists a Treatment Plant in Thika and theland is adjacent to the
current treatment plant which is 15Ha which has already been acquired by the County
Government from previous Local Government. There are 4 major sewerage trunk lines and
several reticulations that will drain into the Waste Water Stabilization Ponds and Sewerage
Treatment Plant in Gatongora Location, Ruiru.
Mugutha River Trunk Sewer Route: This sewer flows along the Mugutha River and will
drain parts of Mugutha and Theta sub-locations in Ruiru. It will empty in to the Theta River
Trunk Sewer.
Theta River Trunk Sewer Route: This follows the Theta River and is to drain parts
ofMilimaniSub-Location in Juja as well as flows conveyed by the Mugutha River Trunk
Sewer. It will empty into the Thiririka River Trunk Sewer.
42
Thiririka River Trunk Sewer Route: This will flow along the Thiririka River, later empty
into the Interceptor Trunk Sewer; it will serve Milimani and Kalimoni Sub-Location.
Interceptor Trunk Sewer Route: This will follow road reserve at Ndaraca Shopping Center,
through private land which will be acquired as an easement for the purposes of this project
and KPLC way leave then drain all the wastes at the Ruiru Treatment Plant phase II.
Rehabilitation and Expansion of Existing Thika South Sewerage System: There are 2
major sewerage trunk lines and several reticulations that will drain into the Waste Water
Stabilization Ponds and Sewerage Treatment Plant, in Kiganjo and later drain into Komu
River.
Kamuguti River Trunk Sewer Route: This sewerage trunk line will connect from Thika
Super Highway it will run along a normal and existing natural drain for approximately 6kms
and empty into Komu River Trunk Sewer which will in turn drain directly into the sewerage
treatment plant that is located in Kiganjo Location.
Komu River Trunk Sewer Route: This sewerage trunk line will connect from Karimenu
Village in Ngoingwa Area, cutting across the Thika Supper Highway to Weitethie location on
the left it will run along a normal and existing natural drain for approximately 10KM and
connect to Kamunguti River Trunk Sewer later cut across 1.5KM of private land and later
drain directly to the expansion of the existing Thika Treatment Works. The sewer will serve
Karimenu (Ngoingwa), Komu, Weteithie, Kianjau and Komo sub-locations of Thika.
Figure 19: Ruiru Sewerage Treatment works.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
43
Table 9: Summary of the design details for reticulation and trunk sewers.
Sewer Sewer Pipe
Diameter (mm)
Sewer Pipe
Length (m)
Sewer Pipe
Material
No. of
Manholes
Mugutha River Trunk Sewer 450mm 2300m PCC 40
375mm 1700m PCC 31
Theta River Trunk Sewer 525mm 6231m PCC 107
450mm 49m PCC 1
Thiririka River Trunk Sewer 525mm 5000m PCC 87
450mm 3860m PCC 68
Interceptor Trunk Sewer 750mm 4313m PCC 75
Kamuguti River Trunk Sewer 450mm 2260m PCC 40
375mm 3740m PCC 64
Komu River Trunk Sewer 675mm 3240m PCC 58
600mm 2500m PCC 41
525mm 1500mm PCC 29
450mm 2500mm PCC 42
375mm 960mm PCC 17
Juja Reticulation Sewers 300mm 21,900m uPVC 368
Thika South Reticulation
300mm 14,800m uPVC 250
Source: Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Ruiru Sewerage System
44
Map 7: Sewerage Reticulation within Thika Town
Source: Draft Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan for Thika Town
45
6.5.2.6 Postal Services
The Thika municipality has three post offices; Madaraka Post Office which is located
opposite the National oil off Garissa Road. Thika Post Office is located towards Kenyatta
highway on Uhuru Street, while Juja post office is located on Gatundu-Juja road in Juja town.
There is also a JKUAT Chapex Post office within the Jomo Kenyatta University Compound.
However, emergence of technology has introduced new forms of communication for instance
use of emails, Short Messaging Services (SMS), phone calls and courier services, leading to
underutilization of postal services.
Figure 20: Thika Post Office
Source: Field survey, May 2018
6.5.3 Social Infrastructures
6.5.3.1 Healthcare facilities, Ambulance services, Cemeteries and related Services
The Fourth Schedule, Part 2, of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 mandates the County
Government to provide health care services. The facilities include: management of public
hospitals, ambulance services, promotion of primary health care, licensing and control of
undertakings that sell food to the public, veterinary services (which excludes regulation of the
profession), cemeteries, funeral parlours and crematoria. These services are well provided for
in the municipality through the County Department of Health Services. The facilities
comprises of dispensaries, private clinics, Health Centres, Nursing Homes and Thika Level V
46
Hospital. However there is need to rehabilitate and upgrade public health care facilities in the
area.
Figure 21: Ambulance at Thika Level 5 Hospital.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Dispensaries are run by the government and they are the lowest point of contact with the
public. The facilities are staffed by nurses, clinical officers, pharmaceutical technologists,
drivers, public health officers, medical technologist, and nutritionists among others. The
Health Services department ensures that services are of quality and accessible to every
citizen. Table 9 gives a summary of health facilities in the municipality. However, there is
great need to rehabilitate and improve the existing infrastructure in the public sector
Table 10: Summary of Health Facilities in Thika Municipality
WARD FACILITY LEVEL
Juja Gachororo Health Centre III
Kalimoni Juja Farm Health Centre III
Athi Dispensary II
Murera Mugutha Dispensary II
Hamundia Dispensary II
Theta Ndururumo Dispensary II
47
Source: Department of Health Services
Weitethie Muthaara Dispensary II
Hospital Thika Level V hospital V
Township Kiandutu Health Centre III
Karibaribi Dispensary II
Kamenu Makongeni Dispensary II
Ngoliba Ngoliba Health centre III
Ndula Dispensary II
Magogoni Dispensary II
Gatuanyaga Munyu health centre III
Gatuanyaga Dispensary II
Ama Clinic Private
Warazo Medical Clinic Private
Aga Khan University Private
Naidu Hospital Private
Mary Help of The Sick Mission
Hospital
Private
The Mater Hospital Private
Central Memorial Hospital Ltd Private
Romkan Medical Centre Private
Sawa Sawa Health Services Private
JKUAT Hospital Private
Kalimoni Mission Hospital Private
48
Map 8: Health facilities within the Thika Municipality
Source: Ministry of Health
49
6.5.3.2 Funeral parlours, Cemeteries and Ambulance Services
The Municipality has 2 ambulances in the County Government healthcare facilities, Thika
Level V and Gachororo Health Centre. There are several others from private hospitals within
the urban area. They provide 24 hour services to residents in emergency situations easing
their movement to medical facilities. As recorded by the County Department of Health in
2018, there are 6 cemeteries and burial grounds in the municipality.
There are two funeral parlours in the urban area General Kago and Bishop Okoye Funeral
Homes. In addition there exists one crematorium in Thika town that is owned by Indians.
Thika War Cemetry where the 2nd
World War soldiers were buried is well preserved with
regular maintenance.
Figure 22: Public Cemetery and Thika War Cemetery.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Figure 23: General Kago Funeral Home in Thika Municipality
Source: Field survey, May 2018
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6.5.3.3 Education Facilities
Kiambu County has 1,843 Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers, 21,090 primary
school teachers and 3,479 secondary school teachers with a teacher-pupil/student ratio of
1:40 for ECD, 1:38 for primary schools and 1:25 for secondary schools.
Access to affordable, accessible and high quality education provision childcare (preschool
and school age) can play a significant role in children’s development and positively influence
school-readiness, future educational attainment, economic participation and health. Universal,
high-quality education and care, not only benefits the whole population but can particularly
benefit children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.
Figure 24: Gretsa University in Thika Municipality.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
The municipality has a well facilitated network of ECD, primary, secondary, tertiary and
training institutions both private and public from the lowest level (ECD) to the tertiary
institutions. The municipality boasts of two National secondary schools (Mang’u High and
Mary Hill Girls), as well as Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Mt Kenya
University among others.
51
Figure 25: Mt Kenya University, Main campus, located in Thika Municipality.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Table 11: Summary of Education infrastructure in municipalities
Description Itemization No.
Universities Jomo Kenyatta University of Science & Technology
Gretsa University
Mt. Kenya University
3
Vocational and
Training Centres
Wabeni
Makongeni
Juja Farm
3
Training institutions Thika Institute of Science and Technology 1
Colleges Kenya Medical Training College 1
Non Formal Schools Fathers House Children’s Home
RebothPri School
No. 4 Nursery School
Street Children Day Centre
52
Polytechnics Christian Industrial Training Centre
Thika Y.M.C.A V.T.C Youth Polytechnic
Wabeni Technical Sch
The Salvation Army Variety Village Centre
4
Colleges Christian Industrial Training College
Gakeo College Of Business Studies
Havard Institute of Development Studies
Hemland College Of Professional & Technical Studies
Institute of Neo Technology and Business Management
International Centre of Technology
Jodan College of Technology
Thika College of Banking, Accountancy and computer studies
Thika Institute of Computers
Thika School of medical and Health Sciences
Tonic Institute
Transafric Accountancy & Management College
Africana College Of Professionals
15
Child care facilities Day cares, Available
Community Centers Thika Community Hall
Library Thika Library (community hall)
Source: County Integrated Development Plan and Draft County Spatial Plan
Table 12: ECD/Primary Schools Enrolment in 2018 within the Municipality
Ward School Total Grand Caregivers
Boys Girls Total Male Female Total
Township Gatumaini 98 92 170 0 9 0
Garissa Road 63 50 113 0 4 4
Mugumoini 40 35 75 0 3 3
Kisiwa 54 58 112 0 3 3
Karibaribi 25 21 46 0 2 2
Kianjau 45 65 110 0 4 4
Thika Sch. For
Blind
19 18 37 0 4 4
Hospital
Thika Primary 50 66 116 0 4 4
General Kago 30 28 58 0 2 2
53
Kiboko 17 11 28 0 1 1
QRS 52 65 117 0 5 5
St. Patricks 22 24 46 0 2 2
Starehe 24 25 49 0 3 3
Bahati 14 12 26 0 2 2
Jamhuri 20 11 31 0 2 2
Thika Muslim 18 15 33 0 2 2
Joytown 10 8 18 0 2 2
Gachagi 25 23 48 0 2 2
Umoja 23 18 41 0 2 2
St. Patricks
Special
3 7 10 0 1 1
Kamenu Thika Barracks 73 50 123 0 4 4
Athena 46 28 74 0 3 3
Kimuchu 75 77 152 0 4 4
Kenyatta 45 52 97 0 4 4
Mountain View 47 33 80 1 2 3
Kiganjo 30 27 57 0 3 3
Kamenu 42 32 74 0 3 3
Gatuanyaga
Maria
Magdalene
20 11 31 0 1 1
Gatuanyaga 60 55 115 0 4 4
Komo 50 48 98 0 2 2
Mbagathi 16 16 32 0 1 1
Maganjo 12 22 34 0 1 1
Githima 33 35 68 0 2 2
Magana 16 18 34 0 1 1
Munyu 21 15 36 0 1 1
Ngoliba
Ngoliba 58 42 100 0 3 3
Kilimambogo 20 28 48 0 2 2
Magogoni 66 46 112 0 2 2
Matathia 33 34 67 0 3 3
Powerline 35 25 60 0 2 2
Ndula 12 11 23 1 0 1
54
Ndula
community
25 15 40 0 2 2
Kianjahi 22 20 42 0 2 2
TOTAL 1509 1392 2881 2 111 104
Source: County Director of Education/ Department of Education, Gender, Culture and Social
Services
Table 13: Private Primary Schools in the Municipality
1 SCHOOL NAME SCHOOL NAME
2 St. James 50 Ndarugu Academy
3 Juja Academy 51 St.paul's-kiganjo
4 St. Paul's Junior Academy 52 Jamaa Highway Academy
5 St George Academy 53 St Peters Kiganjo Academy
6 Njewar Academy 54 Beginners
7 Eunikim B Junior 55 Zakawa
8 Eunikim B Junior 56 King Solomon
9 Spirit of Faith 57 Thika Springs Academy
10 Campus Elite Academy 58 Grasten Academy
11 Rise & Shine 59 Thika Pentagon Academy
12 Ema Day Care 60 Tumaini
13 Prairies 61 St. Appolonuh's Academy
14 The Prime 62 St. Martin Memorial
15 St. Julia PriSch 63 Wapa
16 Ebenezer Christian Academy 64 Mtume Andrew
17 Christian Church International Academy 65 Cathy-Bridge
18 Woodland Academy 66 Major Junior
19 St. Kelvin Academy 67 Good Shepherd
20 Wankan Academy 68 Furaha
21 Bethlehem Academy 69 Camp David Junior
22 Capstone Academy 70 Chania
23 Top Ever Academy 71 Glorybell
24 White Cots 72 Stepping Stones Preparatory
25 Precious Corner Stone Academy 73 St. Manasseh Academy
26 Father's House Christian Sch. 74 St. Mulumba Academy
27 Highway View Academy 75 Mwngaza
28 Highway View Academy Pri 76 Height Junior Academy Pri.
29 Manyatta Academy Sch 77 Thika Prime Junior PriSch
55
30 Neema Junior 78 Victor's
31 Victor Academy 79 Rev.MaanzoAic Academy
32 Kimbo Prep 80 St. Marks
33 Jerusalem Star Academy 81 St Josephine Academy
34 The Beach Academy 82 Thika Bellhouse Academy
35 Apex Children's Centre 83 Auto Excel
36 Mfalme Junior Academy 84 Essy Junior Academy
37 Juja Preparatory 85 Atumwo
38 St. Peters' Juja 86 Flame Tree Pri. Sch.
39 OldonyoSabuk 87 St.Lukes Church Academy
40 JasaPriSch 88 Primrose
41 Nannys Academy 89 P.C.E.A Dr.Ngoima Memorial
42 Makena PriSch 90 St. DavidsPlainsview Academy
43 Ridges Academy 91 Goodwish School
44 Varsity Aim Academy 92 Roska Academy
45 Dayspring academy 93 Thika Education Complex
46 Njewar Academy 94 New Bambini
47 Woodland Academy 95 Pcea Elijah Kagiri
48 Ackst. Peters Kiganjo Academy 96 St.Georges Academy
49 Testimony Junior 97 St. John's High Vision Academy
98 Bright Future
99 Happy Hours
100 Bishop Njuguna Academy
101 Henjam Academy
102 St.David's
103 Judy's Nursery
Source: County Director of Education
Table 14: Public Secondary Schools within the municipality
1 Murera Star 13 Kimuchu Mixed Day
2 Juja Farm 14 St Paul Gatuanyaga
3 Murera 15 Mangu High
4 Komo Mixed 16 Kitamaiyu
5 Munyu Mixed 17 Magogoni
6 Juja 18 Kenyatta
7 Munyu Girls 19 Broadways
56
8 Ngoliba 20 Thika High
9 Juja Township 21 Joytown
10 Gachororo 22 Chania Boys
11 Chania Girls High 23 Thika High Sch For The Blind
12 Maryhill Girls High 24
Source: County Director of Education
Table 15: Private Secondary Schools within the municipality
SCHOOL NAME
SCHOOL NAME
1 Abba Salama Academy 15 King Solomon
2 St Linda's 16 Thika Pentagon Academy
3 Wankan Academy 17 St. Appolonuh's
4 Bristar Girls 18 St. Paul's Educational Centre
5 St. Bakita Girls 19 Tumaini Christian
6 Juja Senior 20 St. Mark's Gatuanyaga
7 Kalimoni Senior 21 Shelherds Hills
8 Ndaragu High Sch 22 Heights Senior
9 Nuruwest 23 St.Josephine Education Centre
10 Theos Senior School 24 Essy Sec
11 Macjerry 25 St.Augustine Boys
12 Sapencia Education Centre,Alpha High 26 Trikha Girls
13 Thika Road Girls 27 Nica Academy
14 Day Light Sec 28 St. Xavier's
29 Equator Boys High Sch
Source: County Director of Education
57
Map 9: Education facilities within the Thika Municipality
Source: County Director of Education/ Department of Education, Gender, Culture and Social Services
58
6.5.3.4 Financial infrastructure
There is a network of commercial banks and Sacco’s which makes the municipality a
financial hub. These banks include Equity Bank, NIC Bank Barclays Bank, K-Unity Sacco,
Jamii Bora Bank, National Bank of Kenya, Metropolitan Sacco, Standard Chartered, Co-
operative bank, KCB, Family bank, KWFT, and a network of Sacco’s and other Non-
Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIS). The banks provide reliable and affordable credit, to
facilitate economic development and creation of jobs. Sacco’s offer credit with rates that are
below the presiding market-rate therefore increasing credit flows to support local businesses,
especially small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), in times of economic downturn.
Figure 26: Banking Facilities in Thika Municipality
Source: Field survey, May 2018
6.5.3.5 Recreational and Sporting facilities
Thika municipality has conference facilities provided by hotels such as Kenya Training &
Conference Facilities, Senate Hotel, Seagul Hotel, Eton Hotel, Ukombozi Retreat
and Conference Centre and Blue Post Hotel. Thika Municipal stadium provides a venue for
sporting activities and it is home for Thika United Football Club. The stadium encourages
and nurtures creative talent of local residents. Fourteen Falls is quite a scenic site for leisure
activities. Thika Golf Club and Ruiru Golf Club (Juja) are fully equipped with golfing and
gym facilities. The urban area is located in closer proximity to Thika Greens Golf City
(Muranga County) and therefore accessible to the residents. Braeburn Imani International
School is the only learning institution with golfing activities in the urban area. The
municipality also has a Community Hall which acts as a Community Centre for its residents
59
Figure 27: Thika Stadium, Home to Thika United Football Club
Source: Field survey, May 2018
Figure 28: Christina Wangari Garden in Thika Town.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
6.5.3.6 Control of Drugs, Policing and Enforcement
The County Assembly of Kiambu, through Kiambu County Alcoholic Drinks Control Act
2018, established a framework for licensing and regulation of production, sale, distribution,
consumption and outdoor advertising of alcoholic drinks. The Act established a Directorate
60
whose functions are to coordinate the establishment, implementation and operations of
alcohol treatment and rehabilitation facilities and programmes. Section 5 (2) (e) of the Act
mandates them to undertake research on alcohol related matters and disseminate findings.
Further, the Third Schedule of the Act outlines Licence Fees to be paid by bar owners.
The Thika municipality works closely with the security agencies, National Campaign on
Drugs and Substance Abuse (NACADA) and other Non- Governmental Organisations
(NGOs) to ensure enforcement of laws concerning prevention of sale and rehabilitation of
users of drugs and substances.
There are four rehabilitation centres in the Thika Municipality, they help addicted people
recover from substance abuse and mental disorder. The Centres are known as Thika
Counselling Home, Thika Rehabilitation Centre, New Life Rehabilitation and Counselling
Centre and MediVa Wellness Centre.
On policing, the municipality hosts Thika, Juja and Makongeni Police Stations and 10 other
patrol bases, all under the National Police Service. Introduction of Neighbourhood Watch
Community Policing (Nyumba Kumi Initiative) has strengthened the police and the local
residents partnership hence curbing crime in the urban area.
Moreover, private security firms provide additional response to security emergencies with
companies like BM Security Firm, G4S, KK Security Services outsourced by private
companies and residents
Figure 29: Thika Rehab Facility
Source: Field survey, May 2018
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6.5.3.7 Abattoirs
Abattoirs are governed by the Kiambu Abattoirs Act of 2015 where the establishment,
operations and regulation of abattoirs in the County is provided for. The abattoir should be
located in an area which is reasonably far from objectionable odours, smoke & dust, adequate
dust-proof access-ways connecting it with public roads and completely separated from any
other buildings used for industrial, commercial, agricultural, residential or other purposes.
Figure 30: Private owned Abattoir in Thika Municipality.
Source: Field survey, May 2018
The Thika municipality has 11 privately owned Abattoirs as illustrated in table 17
Table 16: Abattoirs and slaughter houses within the Municipality
Name of Slaughter House Location Throughput Land
size(acres)
Category
Thika Municipal Slaughter House Thika Town 50 bovines 5 A
Kenchic Poultry Slaughter House Nguliva 24,000 Birds 10 Export S/H
Turi Pig Slaughter House Thika Town 30 Pigs 0.5 B
Kakuku Kakuku 6 bovines 0.25 C
Kirathani Kirathani 2 bovines ,, C
Ngelelya Ngelelya 2 bovines 0.125 C
62
Ngelelya porcine ,, 2 bovines ,, C
Munyu Munyu 2 bovines ,, C
Makutano Kilimambogo ,, ,, C
Muguga Muguga 6 caprines 0.5 C
Ngoliba Ngoliba 3 bovines ,, C
Source: Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Kiambu County
6.5.3.8 Markets
Trade and Market Act was enacted to give effect to paragraph 7(a) of part 2 of the fourth
schedule of the constitution to promote, license and regulate industries, trade and markets.
The Department of Trade is the key stakeholder as it’s the custodian of all market
infrastructures in the County. All markets improvement and drafting relevant regulations,
such as market policy for efficient operations, is undertaken by the department.
The Department of Environment is a key partner in the day to day running of markets,
especially management of waste from the markets. It’s also responsible for managing public
toilets in the markets. The Department of Finance is mandated with revenue collection from
traders operating in the market, as approved in the Finance Act.
Market Committee
All markets within the sub-county have a market committee with the traders’ representative
selected by traders operating in the markets. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on their
qualification and term of services. Their key role is the link between the county government
and traders operating in their respective markets.
Street vending provides employment to many residents and also play a significant role in the
urban city life. However, there is need to integrate hawkers in urban planning by setting up
adequate and accessible open air markets. This will expand revenue generation base in the
municipality.
63
Figure 31: Small Scale Traders next to Thika bus station.
Table 17 gives an illustration of markets in the municipality.
Table 17: Locations of the markets within Thika sub county
Sub county Ward Name of the market Market Status
Thika Theta Ndarasha Temporary Open Air Market
Theta Junction Temporary Open Air Market
Murera Toll Temporary Open Air Market
Murera Pipeline Temporary Open Air Market
Murera GSU Temporary Open Air Market
Kalimoni Juja Farm Temporary Open Air Market
Kalimoni Athi Market Temporary Open Air Market
Witeithie Muthara Temporary Open Air Market
Witeithie Athena Temporary Open Air Market
Township Kiandutu Open air market
Hospital Moi Market Permanent
Hospital Jamhuri Permanent
Hospital Wanyua Permanent
Ngoliba Ngoliba Open Air
Kamenu Madaraka Permanent
Gatuanyaga Munyu Permanent
Source: Department of Trade, Tourism, cooperatives and enterprise development
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6.6 Criteria 6: Public participation
Public participation is the process where individuals, government and non-governmental
groups influence decision making in policy, legislation, service delivery, oversight and
development matters. It is a two-way interactive process where the duty bearer communicates
information in a transparent and timely manner, engages the public indecision making and is
responsive and accountable to their needs. The public gets actively involved in the process
when the issue at stake relates directly to them.
Public participation is both a key promise and provision of the Constitution of Kenya. It is
instilled in the national values and principles of governance stipulated in Article 10. The
public is involved in the processes of policy making, monitoring and implementation. The
Constitution of Kenya 2010 Article 174 (c) provides that one object of devolution is: “to give
powers of self-governance to the people and enhance their participation in the exercise of the
powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them.” The Constitution assigns the
responsibility to ensure, facilitate and build capacity of the public to participate in the
governance to the County Government through Function 14 (Schedule 4 Part 2).
As such, county governments are required to create mechanisms of engagement by ensuring
and coordinating the participation of communities and locations in governance and build
capacity by assisting communities to develop the administrative capacity for the effective
exercise of the functions and powers. These guidelines interpret Public Participation as
broadly encompassing an interactive process between state and non-state actors of public
communication and access to information, capacity building and actual engagement in county
governance processes.
Public participation entails; informing the public by providing information to help them
understand the issues, options and solutions, consulting with the public to obtain their
feedback on alternatives or decisions; involving the public to ensure their concerns are
considered throughout the decision process, particularly in the development of decision
criteria and options; collaborating with the public to develop decision criteria and alternatives
and identify the preferred solution and empowering the public by placing final-decision
making authority in their hands.
65
Article 1(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 stipulates that “All sovereign power belongs
to the people of Kenya. The people may exercise their sovereignty directly or through their
elected representatives.” Article 10 (2) a, b and c outlines the national values and principles
of governance to include; democracy and participation of the people; inclusiveness; good
governance, integrity, transparency and accountability.
Further, Article 27 of the Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination hence,
public participation should ensure equality and non-discrimination. Article 33 provides that
Public Participation should respect the freedom of expression of all participants. Article35 of
the Constitution guarantees the right to access information by citizens. Article 174(c)
outlines the objects of devolution are; to give powers of self-governance to the people and
enhance their participation in the exercise of such powers in decision making.
Article 174(d) stipulates communities have the right to manage their own affairs and to
further their development. Article 184(1) provides that national legislation shall provide for
the governance and management of Urban Areas and Cities and shall provide for the
participation of residents in the governance of Urban Areas and Cities.
The Public Finance Management Act, Section 207 stipulates that County Governments are to
establish structures, mechanisms and guidelines for citizen participation. The County
Government Act Section 91 provides that the county government shall facilitate the
establishment of modalities and platforms for citizen participation. The Urban Areas Act
Sections 21 and 22 overarching theme is participation by the residents in the governance of
urban areas and cities. The Second Schedule of the Act provides for the rights of, and
participation by residents in affairs of their city or urban areas. Further, the Public
Procurement and Disposal Act 2015 Section 68(3), 125(5), 138, and 179 emphasises on
transparency of the procurement process including requirements for procuring entities to
publicly avail procurement records after closure of proceedings, publicise notice of intention
to enter into contract on websites and public notice boards and publish and publicise all
contract awards.
The County Government has a Directorate of Citizen Engagement and Public Participation
under the Department of Administration and Public Service that spearheads public
engagement in Thika Municipality. The procedure for citizen participation entails notification
by the County Executive Committee Member of the legislation or project that needs to be
66
discussed. Once the draft legislation or bill is presented to the Directorate of Public
Participation, advertisements are sent out to area residents by way of outdoor advertisements,
notice boards, word of mouth, social media and local dailies to invite area residents which
advertisements notify them of the venue, date and time that citizen engagement would take
place.
On the day of citizen participation, the contents of the legislation or project are presented to
area residents, thereafter a question and answer session is laid out to give participating
residents an opportunity to contribute, ask questions or seek clarity on the legislation. All
suggestions, contributions, questions and recommendations are documented as is, as well as
the names and wards which citizens represent. This information is later prepared by the
Directorate and recommendations on the citizen engagement, which is available for public
use upon inquiry.
Figure 32: Kiambu County Residents participating in a stakeholders meeting
Source: Directorate of public participation
In the municipality various engagements have been undertaken to involve citizen
participation for instance, during the preparation of the County Fiscal Strategy Paper,
preparation of the County Integrated Development Plan, the formulation of Regulations for
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the Valuation and Rating Act, the Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plans,
identification of community needs for roads expansion projects and preparation of Alcohol
and Drugs Control Act 2018. The Directorate of Public Participation often seeks to get the
public’s opinion by organising public Barazas, engaging officials of residents and
neighbourhood associations in the municipality are also critical in physical planning
processes and decision-making.
6.7 Criteria 7: Adequate Space of Expansion
Most parts of Thika municipality rely on agricultural activities therefore it is important to
preserve these areas to ensure sustainable food production for future generations. For
sustainable urban development in the municipality, the Draft County Spatial Plan
discourages urban sprawl and instead encourages vertical growth by increasing densities in
the CBDs, high and medium density residential and commercial zones.
This policy provides building regulations that increase plot ratios to any upcoming
developments thereby increasing the densities to accommodate the rising urbanization in
Thika municipality. This is in line with the argument that compact cities are the most
sustainable urban forms and involves the promotion of urban regeneration,
the revitalisation of town centers, restraint on development in rural areas, higher densities,
mixed-use development, and promotion of public transport and the concentration of urban
development at public transport nodes.
There are many benefits of the compact city model over urban sprawl, which include: less car
dependency thus lower carbon emissions, reduced energy consumption, better public
transport services, increased overall accessibility, the re-use of infrastructure and previously
developed land, a regeneration of existing urban areas and urban vitality, a higher quality of
life, the preservation of green space for leisure, and the creation of a milieu for enhanced
business and trading activities.
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Map 10: The existing land uses within the municipality
Source: Department of Lands, Housing, Physical planning and Urban Development
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6.8 Criteria 8- Infrastructural facilities, including but not limited to, street lighting,
markets and fire stations
Analyzed under Criteria 5
6.9 Criteria 9- Solid Waste Management
Part 2 of the fourth Schedule in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 explicitly provides that the
County Governments shall be responsible for; refuse removal, refuse dumps and solid waste
disposal.
Kenya Vision 2030 recognizes the need for efficient and sustainable waste management
systems to be established as the country develops into a newly industrialized state by 2030.
The National Environmental Management Authority has also strived to develop a strategy
which will assist the counties and other institutions to be a 7R oriented society, by Reducing,
Rethinking, Refusing, Recycling, Reusing, Repairing and Refilling their waste, towards
compliance with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act of 1999 and
Environmental Management and Coordination (Waste Management) Regulations of 2006 in
order to ensure a clean and healthy environment for all, keeping in line with the Article 42, of
the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Solid waste collection and disposal in Thika and Juja is managed by the Directorate of
Environment. Currently, Thika generates 140 tonnes of waste per day with 60 percent of
waste being collected. Waste recovery/recycling is at 30%. This means that 40% of waste is
uncollected. NEMA directed all county governments to designate areas of waste disposal and
undertake basic actions to manage the sites including fencing, manning and weighing of the
waste. To this regard, Thika has a landfill located at Kang’oki and is 100 acres in size,
however the site needs to be fenced. Gatuanyaga disposal site is used primarily for disposal
of asbestos. Thika has 3 garbage trucks, 5 garbage skips and 1 skip loader shared in Juja and
Thika. The Directorate is the custodian of all equipment and enables its smooth operation.
A solid waste management policy is currently being drafted by the County Environmental
legal team to make it easier to handle the solid waste menace. Environmental awareness will
also be created to the members of the public so as to sensitize the public on importance of
complying with the policies that will be established.
The private sector also plays a key role in solid waste collection, transfer and disposal in most
residential, commercial and industrial areas. However, the sector needs proper regulation.
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Source: Field Survey, May 2018
There is a proposal to carry out waste segregation in garbage collection points. Waste
segregation involves categorizing the waste to be collected in three different categories, that
is: organic, inorganic (recyclable) and hazardous. After waste segregation at the point of
collection, there is a proposal to carry out incineration of waste at Kang’oki which will
enhance garbage management at the facility.
Figure 34: Kang'oki dumpsite in Thika
Source: Field Survey, May 2018.
Figure 33: Private sector involvement in waste management
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A solid waste management policy is currently being drafted by the County Environmental
legal team to make it easier to handle the solid waste. Environmental awareness needs to be
created to the members of the public so as to sensitize the public on importance of complying
with the established policies.
7. Recommendation and Conclusion
Article 184 of The Constitution of Kenya 2010, provides for formulation of Urban Areas and
Cities Act whose objectives are; establishing criteria for classifying areas as urban areas and
cities, establishing the principles of governance and management of urban areas and cities;
and providing for participation by residents in the governance of urban areas and cities.
No country in the world has reached high income status without urbanization; this is because
there is a strong relationship between urbanization and economic growth which is brought
about by factors such as rising agricultural productivity, higher education, industrial push,
trade and commerce. Urbanization in Kiambu County has played an essential role in growth
of the county’s economy, and these urban areas have been engines of economic development
in the county. Section 9(3) of Urban Areas and Cities Act 2011 has set out the criteria for
conferment of a municipal status of urban areas in Kenya.
Institutional capacity and infrastructural developments are the core functions of Kenya
Urban Support Program agenda and will be major drivers of economic and sustainable
growth of the municipality. These will be key in attracting investments, creation of job
opportunities, improving standards of living, and make urban areas competitive, safe,
attractive and liveable.
The municipality, through the Kenya urban support program will further contribute to the
realization of the Sustainable Development Goals which include;
SDG 4: Inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
SDG 6: Access to clean water and sanitation as this is a basic human right
SDG 8: Inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for
all
SDG 11: Make cities and human settlement inclusive, resilient and sustainable.
Thika municipality, under the umbrella of the County Government will benefit from the
infrastructural investment that will be undertaken under the Kenya Urban Support Program.
Adequate urban infrastructure will attract more investments and especially in areas in line
with the Big Four Agenda such as affordable decent housing, manufacturing, food security,
and healthcare. Other areas of interest will include slum rehabilitation, formulation of
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favorable land policies, and formulation of municipal policies, which will play a pivotal role
in inclusive growth. Investment in social infrastructure will also play an important role in
developing strong and inclusive communities that provide opportunities for social integration.
The Thika municipality whose future is pegged on industrial growth, real estate and
education centres qualifies for conferment of municipal status having met the set out criteria
as evidenced by:
a) Presence of a population threshold above 70,000, which is the minimum requirement
for a municipality.
b) Ongoing participatory process of preparation of an Urban Integrated Development
Plan through the Nairobi Metropolitan Services Improvement program.
c) Demonstration of revenue collection potential.
d) Capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations
e) Capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver essential services to its residents as
provided in the 1st schedule.
f) Continuous active public participation process
g) Presence of sufficient space for expansion.
h) Provision of infrastructural facilities including but not limited to markets, fire stations,
education facilities, storm water drainage, water and sewer infrastructure, health
facilities, etc
i) Capacity for effective waste disposal.
We therefore highly recommend that Thika be conferred a Municipal status by the Kiambu
County Governor upon approval by the County Assembly of Kiambu.
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Annexes
