The Senate's Standing Committee on Devolution has endorsed Thika's bid for city status, a significant step towards it becoming Kenya's sixth city and the first in the Mount Kenya region.

• Thika has fulfilled the constitutional and statutory thresholds for city status.
• The Senate's Standing Committee on Devolution conducted a comprehensive due diligence exercise.
• This endorsement brings Thika closer to joining other Kenyan cities like Nairobi and Mombasa.

Thika is on the verge of becoming Kenya's sixth city and the first in Central Kenya after the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution recommended granting it city status.

• The municipality met legal requirements, including a population of over 284,000 residents.
• Key players include the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and the Kiambu County Government.
• Thika generated over Ksh6.4 billion in revenue over the past seven years, demonstrating its economic viability.

The National Land Commission (NLC) is initiating compulsory land acquisition for the realignment of the Homa Bay-Rongo (B3) road to facilitate the expansion of Kabunde Airstrip.

• Over 100 land parcels will be affected by the acquisition.
• The NLC is acting on behalf of the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
• Hearings for affected landowners are scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026, at the Kabunde Chief's Office.