BAT-Kiganjo-Castle Bypass to be commissioned next month

Deputy President William Ruto joining worshipers at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), Thika Town in praise and worship on Sunday. With him is Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, area MP Patrick Wainaina and Kiambu DG. James Nyoro.

Deputy President William Ruto has said that the much-awaited Thika bypasses will be commissioned in three weeks time with a view to open up the town and ease the perennial traffic snarl-ups that have dogged the industrial town for more than a decade.

Responding to requests by the area MP Eng. Patrick Wainaina on Sunday, Ruto noted that Thika was growing at a very fast rate and it was only prudent that the government invested in infrastructure so as to encourage investment and further growth of industries.

“Other than the BAT-Castle bypass, we are going to construct other link roads that will open up Thika and ease these traffic jams. We have also commenced the construction of the Njomoko and Witeithie footbridges that when complete, will help curb the numerous accidents that have seen so many of our people lose their lives as they attempt to cross the highway,” he said.

The DP added that the government had also invested more than KES. 23 billion in water and sewerage infrastructure that will serve Thika, Juja and Ruiru once the Kariminu Dam project was complete. This project will see areas like Ngoingwa, Athena and Kiganjo benefit with more water flow and also link them to the sewerage system.

“The Jubilee Government wants politics of unity and development and we will not allow those extending the politics of division divert our focus. Let’s not lose focus,” said Ruto.

Ruto was speaking during a mass service at Thika PCEA Church, a Harambee at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ngoingwa and later at the Blue Post hotel where he met a group of bishops and clergy from evangelical churches.

He asked Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu to provide land at Ngoingwa to enable the National Government boost the area MP’s CDF kitty to put up a police station in the area.

“I have heard of your concerns regarding to the security of this place. I am requesting your governor to secure some land so that we can boost your MP with some cash to build a police station here in Ngoingwa,” he said at Ngoingwa.

Governor Waititu promised to put up a dispensary in Ngoingwa and 2Km of tarmac within a short while. He added that his county government was working out a permanent solution to the drainage problem in Ngoingwa and other areas of Thika Sub-County.

Area MP said that his constituency had been earmarked as a special economic zone and suggested that the free 1000 Acres at Del Monte Company be set aside to develop an industrial and business park as well as other social amenities such as hospitals and sports and talent arenas.

“That land is quite ideal for the construction of an industrial and business park in line with our new status as a special economic zone. This will help in opening up that section of our constituency and create more jobs for our people,” he said.

On the issue of the JAMOFASTA houses, the MP called for open and transparent deliberations on the way forward so as to avoid any eventuality of those living in these estates getting shortchanged.

Among those who accompanied the Deputy President in his tour of Thika Constituency included Governors Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Deputy Senate Speaker Kithure Kindiki, Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro and Women Rep. Gathoni Wamuchomba.

Others included MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South) Jude Njomo (Kiambu), Simon Ng'ang'a King'ara (Ruiru), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu), James Githua Kamau Wamacukuru (Kabete), Wanjiku Kibe (Gatundu North) and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu).