Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner (CC) David Gitonga has called on the relocation of national government offices and services to the county headquarters at Kathwana.
“Kathwana is the gazetted county headquarters. Major offices such as the County Police Commander have no offices here. We are ready to live and work here to make sure Kathwana grows as a county headquarter”, the CC said.
The County Commissioner while giving his remarks during Madaraka Day Celebrations at Kathwana stadium underscored the importance of having government offices, more so residential houses to accommodate government officials and reduce the distance travelled from Chuka to Kathwana to conduct government business.
Eleven years since devolution, majority of government departmental heads including the County Police Commander and official government residences are in Chuka Town, 30 kilometres away from Kathwana which is the gazetted headquarters.
Early last year, the County Commissioner’s office relocated to Kathwana, amid calls by elected leaders and the national government to have all offices relocated despite the challenge in housing and the availability of key social amenities in Kathwana.
Deputy Governor Wilson Nyaga Muisrael while giving his remarks said the county government was in the second phase of developing Kathwana Town to County Headquarter status, highlighting key projects set to be launched including tarmacking of the town, installation of street lights and construction of a power sub-station.
“We are in the process of making Kathwana a City. We have allocated land for the construction of a sub power station at Kamutiria which will facilitate the construction of industries around. We also intend to improve the status of the roads around the town and also ensure proper lighting to boost the status of the town,” Muisraeli said.
The Deputy Governor also said the county government would ensure the county headquarters offices that have stalled since construction in 2015 will be complete in one year to allow major county government offices relocate to the town.
Area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Njeru Ing’ara noted that Kathwana has been neglected, citing political sabotage as a major contributing factor towards the poor state of the town, supposed to be a county headquarter.
He asked the county government to spearhead and be accountable for major development projects in the area, and see to it that such projects boost the status of the county headquarters.
The County Commissioner further noted political tensions within the county, where he asked elected leaders to work together despite their political differences.
“We all have the right of speech, let us correct each other respectfully. Each one has their own opinion and mandate. Let us work together to build this county”, he emphasized.
Under this year’s Madaraka Day theme “Promoting Agriculture and Food Security”, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Agriculture said the county government had put efforts to ensure food security, with programs such as certified seed distribution program which is in its sixth season, insemination through veterinary services and soil testing.
He also highlighted that the county had completed over 125 water projects and was committed to reduce the cost of agricultural production to boost returns.
By David Mutwiri and Blaise Gitonga
