By Blaise Gitonga
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has hit out at a section of elected leaders in the county, opposed to the construction of an airstrip at Itugururu in Chuka/Igambang’ombe Constituency.
According to Governor Njuki, the critics argue that construction of a tarmac road on a section meant to be relocated to pave way for expansion of the airstrip should go on, and the airstrip done away with, without the consideration of a consensus to have both constructed.
“I speak on behalf of the people. The residents want both the airstrip and the tarmac road. Those with an issue should tell us why they don’t want both of them. Those who are opposing construction of the two projects should be reminded that I am the Governor, representing the people of the whole county and I have the authority to listen and implement what the people are saying”, he remarked.
The Governor revealed that politicians opposed to the construction of the airstrip were sabotaging the project to settle political scores without thinking about the community or having their interests at heart.
He further revealed that the airstrip would boost the county’s status regionally as a major trade and economic hub.
“This may not be our time to have aircrafts there, but when we look at where the world is going, we can’t be the only county in the future that has no airstrip”, he added.
In January 2024, residents agreed on a land acquisition plan to facilitate the construction of the Itugururu-Kamaindi road to pave way for the expansion of the airstrip.
During the public participation forum, the government affirmed that it had allocated funds for the compensation of the owners of the 27-acre parcel of land to allow the proposed road relocation and airstrip expansion.
The road, intersecting the earmarked airstrip site is set to complete the Kibugua-Itugururu-Kamaindi road.
Once complete, the airstrip, which was previously used as a Royal Airforce Base in the colonial period will improve transportation and trade, and will be situated just 5 kilometers from the designated county aggregation industrial park site.
“We have been told by the Kenya Airports Authority that unless we extend the airstrip, they will degazette it. When we looked around, there is nowhere else with an airstrip in Tharaka Nithi County”, he said.
The Governor was speaking at the burial ceremony of Edwin Mbuba Mbungu at Itugururu, who was eulogized as a passionate community leader, invested in development and education.