Tharaka-Nithi set to get permanent county headquarters, 13 years after devolution
The Mt Kenya Times 
The near completion Tharaka Nithi County executive offices building at Kathwana. The building has been financed by the county government. Photo|Alex Njeru
By Alex Njeru
After 13 years of operating from temporary structures, the Tharaka-Nithi County Government is finally on the verge of occupying a fully functional county headquarters, marking a major milestone in the county’s devolution journey.
The county headquarters building in Kathwana, which has been under construction for more than a decade, is now undergoing final touches ahead of its completion and commissioning in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Since the inception of devolution in 2013, county government operations have largely been conducted from iron-sheet (mabati) structures in Kathwana, while several departments have continued operating from offices inherited from the defunct local authorities in Chuka, Chogoria and Marimanti.
The Tharaka-Nithi headquarters project is among five county headquarters that were earmarked for support by the National Government following the creation of new county administrative centres after devolution. The other counties are Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River and Nyandarua.
Under the arrangement, county governments were expected to contribute 30 per cent of the construction costs, while the National Government would provide the remaining 70 per cent through budgetary allocations.
However, county leaders say the promised funding has not been forthcoming in recent years, forcing counties to shoulder the burden of completing the projects.
Presenting the county budget estimates on Tuesday, Finance Executive Committee Member Lawrence Rweria disclosed that National Government disbursements for the headquarters project stopped years ago, compelling the county administration to seek approval from the County Assembly to finance the completionp works.
“The National Government support dried up long ago, leaving the county with no option but to allocate its own resources to ensure the project is completed,” said Rweria.
According to county officials, the county government has invested approximately Sh300 million towards the completion of the headquarters over the years.
Members of the County Assembly, led by Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson and Karingani MCA Murithi Gaturo, yesterday toured the site to inspect the ongoing works.
Gaturo noted that while the county had stepped in to complete the project, the National Government should honour its commitment and reimburse the county for the resources already spent.
“The county has done its part to ensure this project is completed. However, the National Government should fulfil its pledge and reimburse the county so that the funds can be redirected to other pressing development priorities,” he said.
Majority Leader and Magumoni MCA Justin Kithinji said the new headquarters would provide a conducive working environment for county staff who have endured difficult conditions in the temporary mabati offices since 2013.
He added that the building would centralize county services, improving efficiency and access to government services for residents.
The Assembly leadership said further delays were no longer tenable, especially after Governor Muthomi Njuki pledged to ensure county workers relocate from the temporary structures before the end of his second term in office.
The completion of the headquarters is expected to usher in a new era for Tharaka-Nithi County by enhancing service delivery, improving working conditions for staff and providing a permanent administrative home for the county government for the first time since the advent of devolution.
Kathwana town residents have also expressed joy for the completion of the building noting that relocation of all workers into the offices will boost the area’s economy.
“The rental houses which have been empty will be occupied after all the workers relocate to Kathwana,” said Mr Joel Kithaka, a businessman at Kathwana.
Ms Lucy Kagendo, a hotelier said that their business will grow because of the expected population increase in Kathwana.
She added that under the leadership of Governor Njuki the town which was a small dusty market before devolution has witnessed great achievement including tarmacking of the streets, construction of market, construction of residences for governor, deputy governor and speaker of the assembly.
“Though it has taken a long time, Kathwana is now a fully functional county headquarters under Governor Njuki,” said Ms Kagendo.
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