The Thika Industrial Smart City Technical Committee in Kiambu County convened this week to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects and respond to concerns raised by residents during recent public participation forums.
The meeting, attended by Chief Officer for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Martin Kangiri and Thika Municipal Manager Gathii Kanyi, brought together key stakeholders to evaluate the implementation status of various development initiatives under the smart city transformation agenda.
Committee members conducted a comprehensive review of major infrastructure projects, examining timelines, budget allocations, and delivery schedules. The session placed particular emphasis on bottlenecks affecting project execution and strategies to overcome implementation challenges.
Central to the discussions were citizen concerns documented during public participation forums, including issues related to water connectivity, drainage systems, road infrastructure, and street lighting in expanding residential and commercial zones. The committee acknowledged the importance of integrating community feedback into project planning and execution frameworks.
The meeting underscored the critical need for continuous monitoring and follow-up mechanisms to ensure that key development milestones are achieved within stipulated timeframes. Officials stressed that regular oversight would be essential to maintaining momentum and delivering tangible results to residents.
Local entrepreneur David Kimani, who operates a manufacturing plant in the industrial area, welcomed the committee’s proactive approach. “The smart city vision holds great promise for businesses like ours. However, we need reliable infrastructure—especially water supply and quality roads—to operate efficiently. Regular follow-ups will demonstrate the county’s commitment to seeing projects through to completion,” he said.
Community leader Lilian Njeri, representing residents from the Makongeni ward, emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication channels.
“Public participation is meaningless if our concerns aren’t translated into action. We appreciate that the technical committee is taking our input seriously, but what matters most is seeing actual progress on the ground. We’re looking forward to regular updates and visible improvements in our neighborhoods,” she noted.
The committee resolved to establish a structured monitoring framework with monthly progress reviews and quarterly public feedback sessions. Members also committed to addressing priority concerns identified during public participation while maintaining focus on long-term strategic objectives of the smart city transformation.
A follow-up meeting has been scheduled to assess implementation progress and review the effectiveness of corrective measures adopted during the session.
By Andrew Mwasaru
