In a momentous State of the County Address delivered at the Kathwana County Assembly Chambers on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, Governor Muthomi Njuki illuminated the transformative journey of Tharaka Nithi County.
The address delved into economic milestones, infrastructure resilience, agricultural prosperity, healthcare advancements, water management initiatives, educational strides, and a holistic approach to social welfare, cultural preservation, and economic transformation.
Economic Triumphs
The Gross County Product (GCP) has witnessed a meteoric rise of 257%, soaring from KSHs 30 billion in 2016 to an impressive KSHs 77 billion in 2022. This substantial growth not only marks a significant contribution of 0.6% to the national GDP but also positions Tharaka Nithi as a beacon of fiscal strength in the country.
“Our county has become a testament to economic resilience, showcasing that with strategic planning and prudent initiatives, even the most challenging circumstances can be turned into opportunities.” Governor Njuki proudly asserted.
A standout accomplishment highlighted by the governor was the phenomenal growth in revenue collection. The figures tell a compelling story, with revenue escalating by an astounding 362%, from KSHs 79 million in 2016-17 to an impressive KSHs 286.7 million in the fiscal year 2022-23. This financial triumph has firmly established Tharaka Nithi County among the fastest-growing counties in Kenya.
Njuki attributed this success to a combination of efficient revenue collection strategies and technological interventions, stating, “Our commitment to optimizing operations, coupled with initiatives like the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) and the deployment of CCTV installations, has solidified our position as a fiscal powerhouse’, he said.
He emphasized the county’s commitment to growth without imposing additional burdens on the local populace.
“Our aim is to attain our full revenue potential without increasing local taxation, as indicated in the recent Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) Report of 2022”, he noted
Infrastructure Resilience
Addressing the challenges faced by his administration, Governor Njuki candidly shared insights into the pursuit of completing the County Assembly Chambers. With optimism he declared the demanding journey towards completing this crucial facility was drawing to a close, adding that various milestones have been achieved, including the formation of a Multi-Sectoral Committee for the Technical Project Review and Adoption of the Presidential Recommendations on Project Cost Estimation.
In an appeal to the County Assembly, Njuki called upon this Honorable House to support The Executive in its bid to obtain the necessary budget allocations and provide the requisite oversight for completion of this project.
Agriculture
The agricultural sector emerged as a central theme in Governor Njuki’s address, showcasing a six-year commitment to fostering growth and prosperity. Over 100,000 farmers have benefited from the County Crop Subsidy Program, a testament to the county’s dedication to supporting its agrarian community.
“We strategically expanded our Last Mile Fertilizer Distribution Network, operationalizing two new centers at Mukuuni and Nkondi cereal stores. This has significantly contributed to the increased productivity of key cereal commodities, supporting over 80,000 farmers and boosting food production and smallholder farmers’ income”, Governor Njuki elaborated,
Emphasizing the importance of partnerships, Njuki highlighted collaborations with the Fiber Directorate of the Agriculture Food Authority (AFA) to enhance cotton production. He noted collaboration has seen the issuance of certified BT cotton seed, pesticides, and provision of extension services.
The county’s commitment to the entire agricultural value chain was evident in programs like the Agriculture Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP), which supported over 14,000 value chain actors and 39 innovations across banana, dairy, and indigenous chicken value chains.
Healthcare
Tharaka Nithi County has experienced a healthcare revolution under Governor Njuki’s administration. The governor proudly announced an increased in the number of public health facilities from 86 in 2017 to an impressive 112 in 2023. Njuki further revealed that the state-of-the-art equipment acquired for Chuka Level 5 Referral Hospital and the procurement of two Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances underscored his government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare services.
Governor Njuki highlighted the impact of County Health Promoters on preventive healthcare, noting that the involvement of County Health Promoters had resulted in a commendable increase in the proportion of immunized children and women utilizing family planning methods, surpassing national targets.
The county’s achievements in healthcare were further underscored by the results of the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) of 2022. Tharaka Nithi County achieved a remarkable 95% rate for skilled deliveries, surpassing the national target of 89%. Additionally, the percentage of fully immunized children under 1 year stands at 95%, surpassing the national achievement of 82%.
Governor Njuki highlighted the county government’s proactive approach to healthcare legislation, stating, “The county government enacted the Tharaka Nithi Health Services and Sanitation Act, 2021 and the subsequent Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) Regulations, 2023. This ensures that health facilities retain their FIF collections to support primary healthcare facilities in financing their operations.”
Water Management
Governor Njuki recognized the central role of water storage in ensuring sustained water availability. Collaborating with the Tana Water Works Development Agency and the African Development Bank, Tharaka Nithi County is constructing dams, including Tungu, Kajogu, Thuci, and Kithino, with a combined total capacity of over 7 million cubic meters.
“The completion of Chuka and Chogoria Bulk Water Supply schemes, in partnership with the African Development Bank, is a monumental achievement. These schemes, awaiting the last mile connectivity, are expected to benefit an estimated 13,000 households, with over 700 new household connections already established,” highlighted Njuki.
Education and Social Welfare
The county’s commitment to education was evident in the construction of over 185 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classes and the recruitment of 462 ECDE teachers trained to adopt the new national Competence-Based Curriculum. Governor Njuki proudly highlighted that it had resulted in a transition rate of 90% from ECDE to primary schools and a net enrollment of 80%.
In addressing the needs of differently-abled individuals, Njuki stated, “We have issued over 200 wheelchairs and over 300 other mobility devices, empowering entrepreneurs with disabilities. Assessments have been conducted, facilitating the migration of over 1,800 to the new identification system to better address their unique needs.”
Infrastructure Development
Governor Njuki spotlighted the significant strides made in infrastructure development, saying over 2,500 kilometers of roads have been opened and maintained, with over 1,000 road marshals engaged for immediate response to emergencies.
“To date, my government has managed to upgrade over 35 km of county roads to bitumen standards, encompassing towns and municipal roads, thereby enhancing transport and communication “, he added.
Economic Transformation and Cultural Preservation
To catalyze economic transformation, the county is actively involved in the construction of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) at Kairini.
“We have completed the preliminary requirements for the establishment of CAIP and are now part of the first cohort of Counties awaiting official launch. The Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is geared towards aggregating farmers, creating job opportunities, and promoting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)”, the Governor stated
In sports, Njuki noted that the county is undertaking athletic track works at Kairuni Stadium and planning to elevate several playgrounds to standard pitches. Governor Njuki expressed the vision to establish a state-of-the-art stadium at the County Headquarters at Kathwana in collaboration with development partners.
The county government also launched the Documentation and Digitization (DoDi) of Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Assets program, empowering 30 youth, Njuri Ncheke, and Community-Based Organizations as custodians of Tharaka Nithi culture.
