Kindiki, Njuki clash over expansion of Kathwana municipality border
What you need to know:
- According to Governor Njuki, the municipality must cover Mariani and Igambang’ombe wards.
- Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Erastus Njoka termed the decision to expand Kathwana municipality as ill-motivated.
- The locals have vowed that they will not accept to be part of Kathwana municipality.
Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki and Governor Muthomi Njuki have sharply differed over the expansion of Kathwana municipality from 25 to 333 square kilometres.
Addressing residents of Mariani Ward in Chuka Sub-County over the weekend, Prof Kindiki faulted the decision by the county leadership to ‘forcibly’ include Mariani Ward in the municipality without conducting public participation to hear the views of the residents.
He said the administration of former governor Samuel Ragwa conducted public participation through the county assembly and established a 25 square kilometre Kathwana municipality and that if there will be any change, the same constitutional process must be followed.
ILLEGAL
“The decision to include Kithangani, Mariani, Karongoni, Itugururu and some parts of Karingani areas in Kathwana municipality without conducting a public participation exercise to take views of the residents is illegal,” said Prof Kindiki.
He said expanding Kathwana municipality to Kangutu market, which is about five kilometres from Chuka town – the county’s largest commercial centre – is killing the dream of it becoming a municipality in the near future.
But according to Governor Njuki, the municipality must cover Mariani and Igambang’ombe wards in order to have an expansive area for the growth of the municipality that hosts the county’s headquarters.
Speaking at Nkio in Mwariani Ward, Mr Njuki said some individuals are against the establishment of the municipality for their political reasons and asked residents to shun such politicians.
MOVE ILL-MOTIVATED
Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Erastus Njoka has also faulted the decision to expand Kathwana municipality, terming the move as ill-motived.
Last year, Chuka/Igambang’ombe Development Association (CIDA) moved to the Land and Environment Court challenging the expansion of the municipality. Justice Peter Njoroge ruled that the Constitution must be followed when establishing a municipality.
He said public participation is fundamental when establishing a municipality.
Two weeks ago, residents of Kangutu market held a demonstration and removed a signboard erected by the county government indicating that the boundary of the municipality and Chuka area.
The locals have vowed that they will not accept to be part of Kathwana municipality.
Prof Kindiki also faulted a group of people who moved to court challenging the establishment of Igambang’ombe Sub-County, arguing that it is encroaching into the Chuka community.
He urged leaders to join hands in order to develop the county.
