Kathwana residents angered by DP Ruto's comment on county headquarters
Residents of Kathanwa in Tharaka-Nithi demonstrate on November 30, 2016 over comments made by Deputy President William Ruto that appeared to suggest the national government does not recognise the town as the county’s headquarters. They want clarification on the matter. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They barricaded Mati road and asked the deputy president to clarify the statement he made.
- During a fundraiser in Maara Constituency last week, Ruto seemed to suggest the headquarters are in Chuka Town.
- The locals have also demanded that all the projects established in Chuka Town be moved to Kathwana.
- Kathwana is considered the appropriate location for the county headquarters because of its location.
Residents of Kathwana in Tharaka-Nithi on Wednesday demonstrated over a statement made by Deputy President William Ruto that appeared to suggest the national government does not recognise the town as the county’s headquarters.
They barricaded Mati road and asked the deputy president to clarify the statement he made during a fundraiser at Kaare Secondary School in Maara constituency last week.
They have also vowed to vote for the Opposition in 2017, saying the Jubilee administration has neglected them.
"We are assuring Raila Odinga that Tharaka will be his stronghold in 2017 and he is welcome any day," said Julius Mutegi, a resident.
During his visit, Mr Ruto said the government has funded many projects in the county including Sh370 million to tarmack roads in Chuka Town.
"We allocated Sh300 million for tarmacking Chuka Town, which is your county headquarters, and we have added Sh70 million to make sure that the town looks like a city," said Mr Ruto.
Some local leaders, led by Governor Samuel Ragwa, his deputy Mati Murithi and MCAs, have said Mr Ruto's statement was a clear indication that the national government recognises Chuka Town as the county headquarters.
MOVE PROJECTS FROM CHUKA
The locals have also demanded that all projects established in Chuka Town, among them the High Court, Huduma Centre, fibre-optic cable network and stadium, be moved to Kathwana.
Igambang'ombe MCA Albano Kiania said 400 delegates from the three constituencies had agreed that the headquarters be at Kathwana before the 2017 elections.
The issue is also breeding animosity between residents of Tharaka and those of Chuka/Igambang’ombe, with the former claiming that they are being sidelined in development projects.
Kathwana was considered the appropriate location for the county headquarters because it is convenient to people from all constituencies.
In April, President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the County Governments (Amendment) Act, which designates towns where county headquarters will be based.
This sealed the fate of Kathwana as Tharaka-Nithi County headquarters and not Chuka.
