County capital to shift from Nanyuki to Rumuruti

Laikipia County government will shift its headquarters from Nanyuki to Rumuruti, following the completion of Sh60 million offices in the town.

Governor Ndiritu Muriithi says the devolved unit will from January next year start operating from its new offices in Rumuruti, in Laikipia West Sub-County.

Rumuruti is the gazetted county headquarters but the devolved government has been operating from Nanyuki in Laikipia East.

Mr Muriithi said moving the county’s headquarters will take services closer to the people.

Residents of Laikipia West and East constituencies have been travelling to Nanyuki, which is at the edge of the county, for services.

“Rumuruti is the central point of Laikipia County,” the governor added.

In February 2014, the County Assembly passed a motion to shift the devolved government headquarters to Rumuruti.

The motion was in support of the gazettement of Rumuruti as the headquarters of the county by the national government.

However, the decision has been opposed by businesses in Nanyuki which argue that the town is already developed and that it will cost the county government a lot of money to put the necessary infrastructure in Rumuruti.

Six Nanyuki businesspeople even filed a case accusing the then governor — Joshua Irungu — and the county assembly of taking the decision without consulting the public.

The six argued that moving the headquarters to Rumuruti was a waste of public funds. The case was dismissed by the court.

Githaga Ward Representative Peter Thomi, who is the assembly Majority Leader, and his nominated counterpart Irene Wachuka welcomed the decision, saying residents of Laikipia West and parts of Laikipia North constituencies have been neglected for too long as some travel for more than 100km to seek services.

Two months ago, Rumuruti was elevated to a municipality. It will be the beneficiary of a Sh50 million grant for the Kenya Urban Support Programme.