A section of Kiambu Members of Parliament want out of the Mount Kenya bloc, calling for the county to be recognized as its own region.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, August 6, Gatundu North MP Elijah Kururia led the call, arguing that Kiambu’s massive voter population justifies its elevation to a standalone region.
“We have so many votes in Kiambu county, because we have 1.4 million voters, which is more than Nyeri, Murang’a, and Laikipia all together,” Kururia said. “We don’t want when the President comes to Mount Kenya for him to say that he is going to Kiambu.”
Kururia explained that regional autonomy would give Kiambu leaders more strength to push for economic development, improved infrastructure, and national leadership representation. The MPs believe independence will increase their bargaining power with the national government and bring more opportunities to local communities.
“Kiambu County, we want to stand as a region because we want our developments, Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretaries, and our own money, separate from other Mount Kenya Region counties,” he added.
Gatundu South legislator Gabriel Njoroge urged additional government grants to keep up with the development rate of the county.
“If you look at how national funds are distributed, Nairobi gets the lion’s share due to its high demand. Kiambu should now be second in line. We need better infrastructure to support the people living here,” Njoroge said.
The MPs are convinced that as an independent entity, Kiambu would receive additional resources and representation in top-tier government jobs.
Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, Kabete MP Githua Wamacukuru, and Kiambaa MP Njuguna Kawanjiku also backed the motion.
Kiambu is one of nine counties that form the Mount Kenya region, alongside Nyandarua, Nakuru, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, and Nyeri. However, its leaders argue that its scale and influence justify a new regional identity.
