The push to have Thika carved out of Kiambu County and established as a separate county has officially entered a new phase after stakeholders presented a petition to the Senate seeking the creation of Thika County.
Led by the Thika County Stakeholders Forum, a delegation comprising business leaders, civil society representatives, professionals, environmentalists, religious leaders and residents formally submitted the petition to the Clerk of the Senate, setting in motion what they hope will culminate in the creation of a new county under Kenya's devolved system of government.
The proposed Thika County would comprise the five sub-counties of Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Gatundu North and Gatundu South.
Speaking outside Parliament Buildings after submitting the petition, forum spokesperson Juma Hemedi said the initiative is a citizen-driven process that began in 2023 and is rooted in constitutional provisions on devolution, representation and self-governance.
“Today we have officially presented our petition to the Senate to begin the process of splitting Kiambu County and creating Thika County. This is a citizen-led initiative and not a political project. We want the Senate to consider our case and allow us an opportunity to make oral presentations and explain why this is important to the people of the former Thika District,” said Hemedi.
According to Hemedi, the petition highlights population growth, representation challenges and what stakeholders describe as historical injustices dating back to the pre-independence era.
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He noted that Thika was an administrative district as early as 1933 and remained one of the six districts that formed the former Central Province. However, when the 2010 Constitution established Kenya's 47 counties, Thika was not among the districts elevated into county status.
“Of the six districts that existed in Central Province, five became counties. Thika was the only one left out. We believe this is the right time to revisit that conversation and address issues that may not have been fully considered during the county demarcation process,” he said.
Hemedi emphasised that the quest for county status is separate from ongoing efforts to elevate Thika Municipality into a city, saying the two agendas can comfortably coexist.
“We are not in conflict with those advocating for Thika City. In fact, a city can serve as the headquarters of a county. The county agenda is broader and focuses on governance, representation and service delivery,” he added.
The stakeholders argue that the proposed county meets the constitutional threshold for population, infrastructure and economic viability. They further contend that devolution was intended to bring services closer to citizens and that a new county would help achieve that objective.
Chairman of the Thika Business Community, who doubles up as the forum's chairperson Alfred Wanyoike, said the five sub-counties proposed for the new county are among the biggest contributors to Kiambu County's economy, yet residents and businesses feel they are not receiving a proportional share of services and development.
“We know where it pinches because we are the people paying business permits, land rates and other county charges. The feeling among many business people is that the returns do not match the resources generated from this region,” said Wanyoike.
He added that bringing governance closer to residents would improve efficiency and accountability.
“The closer services are to the people, the more successful devolution becomes. Our people want to feel that their county government is accessible, responsive and accountable. This is not about politics; it is about service delivery.”
Wanyoike dismissed claims that the movement is politically motivated, insisting that it is being funded and driven by ordinary citizens.
“We are not fighting anyone. We are not opposing the governor, MPs or any political leaders. We are simply advocating for what we believe is our constitutional right as citizens.”
Civil society representative Martha Nyamu said the proposal is a continuation of discussions that were raised during the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process in 2023.
Nyamu, who is the forum's secretary, argued that the Constitution grants citizens sovereign power to participate in governance and determine how resources should be managed.
“The Constitution recognises the power of citizens to govern themselves and to participate in decisions that affect their lives. This petition is part of that constitutional conversation,” said Nyamu.
She urged critics of the proposal to engage through public debate rather than dismiss the idea outright.
“If there are people who disagree with the proposal, we welcome their views. Let us discuss how devolution can better serve every taxpayer and every citizen. They can also organise themselves just like we have done and petition Senate to reduce the number of counties to the one they feel ideal for the country. Everyone has the right to demand what they believe is the best for the country and its citizens.”
Nyamu noted that county boundary reviews do not have strict constitutional timelines and therefore the process can continue beyond the 2027 General Election if necessary.
CPA Raphael Maruri, who practices in Thika, said residents of the proposed county area feel they are not receiving a fair share of resources despite being major contributors to Kiambu County's own-source revenue.
“We are simply asking for our fair share of both the national and county cake. The areas seeking to form Thika County contribute significantly to county revenue and therefore deserve services that reflect that contribution,” he said.
Using a popular analogy, Maruri added: “The cow that produces more milk should also be fed properly. We believe the communities generating a large share of revenue should see corresponding investments and services.”
Residents from across the proposed county also voiced support for the petition.
Jane Wanjiru, a resident of Ruiru Sub-county, said the region has already attained the population and revenue thresholds necessary to sustain a county government.
“We believe we have all it takes to become a county. The population is there, the revenue is there and the people are ready. As residents, we felt it was time to take the initiative and push for this process,” she said.
Environmental conservation advocate and youth representative George Wachiuri backed the proposal, arguing that rapidly growing urban and industrial areas such as Thika require greater investment and environmental management.
“Thika is one of the biggest industrial centres in the country and contributes significantly to county revenue. We want to see resources distributed in a way that reflects the population, development needs and environmental challenges facing the area,” he said.
The petition now awaits consideration by the Senate, where stakeholders hope it will trigger broader discussions on county boundaries, representation and the future of devolution in Kenya.
If approved, the proposal would create Kenya's newest county and mark a significant restructuring of one of the country's most populous and economically vibrant regions.
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