Kiambu Governor Kimani wa matangi

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has elevated six towns in Kiambu county to municipalities. This according to the governor will bring about “increased funding, improved infrastructure and better services”.

The six towns include Juja, Gatundu, Githunguri, Githurai, Kabete and Lari.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9 (1) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011 and all other enabling provisions of law, I, Kimani Wamatangi, Governor, Kiambu County, confer municipal status of the following areas: Juja, Gatundu, Githunguri, Githurai, Kabete, Lari,” read a section of a Gazette Notice published on March 17.

The Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011 allows for conferment of a municipality if the town has a population of at least two hundred and fifty thousand residents, has demonstrable revenue collection or revenue collection potential, and has a capacity to generate sufficient revenue to sustain its operations.

Additionally, the town should sufficiently have space for expansion, infrastructural facilities, including but not limited to street lighting, markets and fire stations and have a capacity for functional and effective waste disposal.

The upgrading of the six Kiambu towns follows the passing of the motion of Conferment to municipal status of several urban areas within the County of Kiambu by the County Assembly.

The conferment motion was brought to the Assembly by the Chairperson of the Committee on Planning and Urban Development, Moses Ngatha.

The motion was supported by members of County Assembly from across board.

“It has been a long time coming. Hon. Speaker, I support this motion. This will be a game changer for the people of Githunguri and the last time I saw a tarmacked road in Githunguri was 10 years ago,” said Joseph Muhinja, MCA, Githunguri Ward.

“Now my people have hope that we will get better roads. Hon. Speaker I also want to say, disaster management in our area has been a challenge, now I know we will get a modern fire station now that Githunguri is a municipality.”

The municipalities will be headed by sub-county administrators who will report directly to the county governor.

The declaration followed the passing of the motion of Conferment to municipal status of several urban areas within the County of Kiambu by the County Assembly.

The conferment motion was brought to the Assembly by the Chairperson of the Committee on Planning and Urban Development, Moses Ngatha.

The motion was supported by members of County Assembly from across the board.

“It has been a long time coming. Hon. Speaker I support this motion. This will be a game changer for the people of Githunguri and the last time I saw a tarmacked road in Githunguri was 10 years ago,” said Joseph Muhinja, MCA, Githunguri Ward.

“Now my people have hope that we will get better roads. Hon. Speaker I also want to say, disaster management in our area has been a challenge, now I know we will get a modern fire station now that Githunguri is a municipality.”