The Government is expanding road and market infrastructure in Thika Town, with 26.7 kilometres of tarmac roads under construction and several fresh produce markets being developed across the area.
The latest projects were inspected on Monday, October 5, in Gatuanyaga, where works at the now-completed Gatuanyaga Fresh Produce Market and the Kwaheri-Mary Magdalena Road were reviewed. The inspection was attended by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Members of the County Assembly and other local leaders.
The Gatuanyaga market is among 29 fresh produce markets being constructed across Kiambu County. Other market projects in Thika Town include Thika Modern Market, Kiganjo, Ngoliba and Ngoingwa ESP markets.
The market programme is aimed at providing farmers and traders with improved facilities while strengthening the link between agricultural production and markets. Recent Government statements have similarly linked investment in roads and fresh produce markets to improving the movement of agricultural goods and supporting farmers and traders.
On roads, the Government, through the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, is constructing 26.7 kilometres of tarmac roads in Thika Town. Two additional road projects have also been awarded contracts, with works expected to begin shortly. They are the 12.5-kilometre Ndarugu-Ngaceba-Kimuchu Primary School road and the 12-kilometre Ngoingwa Link Roads.
The projects form part of a wider road programme in which 1,650 kilometres of roads have been prioritised for Kiambu County at a reported cost of Sh152 billion. The figure excludes the proposed dualling of the Rironi-Mau Summit road, which traverses Kiambu County.
The infrastructure investment comes as Thika continues to grow as one of Kiambu’s major industrial and commercial centres. The county says the town had a population of 279,429 in the 2019 census and is experiencing rapid growth alongside the wider Nairobi metropolitan area.
Kiambu County is also pursuing plans to elevate Thika to an Industrial Smart City, with infrastructure development identified as part of the broader transformation agenda. County officials have said the process includes planning for improved physical and social infrastructure as the town seeks city status.
The ongoing road works are expected to improve connectivity within Thika, ease the movement of people and goods and support businesses and traders operating in the town.
