Tharaka Nithi County, long overshadowed by its larger Mt Kenya neighbours, has taken centre stage this week as infrastructure and service delivery projects pushed the hashtag #TharakaNithiFocus to the top of Kenyan social media trends.
On the ground, locals describe the projects as transformative.
“Water, the heartbeat of life and development, is being brought closer to the people of Tharaka Nithi County through a series of ambitious and life-changing projects,” wrote one resident, Muchiri Gichuri, in a widely shared post
According to a deep media monitoring brief dated September 8, the county ranked first nationally, with more than 7,300 posts within an hour amplifying progress on irrigation, health and road projects. The online attention comes at a time when Tharaka Nithi is seeking to close economic gaps with Meru, Embu and Kirinyaga, all of which have historically enjoyed higher investment flows and stronger agricultural output.
At the heart of the conversation are irrigation schemes. The Chogoria Mweteri project, already serving 300 farmers, and the Kamwangu scheme in Maara, now 87% complete, are set to secure reliable water for more than 169 acres of farmland. Farmers in Chuka Igamba Ng’ombe are also eyeing the Mukui-Uri-Mbugi project, currently 60% complete, which will deliver steady water to another 300 growers.
“These irrigation works are ushering in new hope,” said a farmer attending a community briefing in Maara. “We have depended on rain-fed farming for too long. If water flows consistently, we can finally plant with confidence.”
Infrastructure has equally dominated discussion. The chuka-Kareeni Road, now 98% complete, and the 25-kilometre Chuka University road, 93% tarmacked. There is also Miomponi-Mukothima Road ( Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=LlNZcsB0BEqLFSyA&v=R0zamt6Sm7c&feature=youtu.be ) which promise smoother access for traders and students.
Health has not been left behind. The Chuka County Referral Hospital has adopted telemedicine and broadband connectivity, a first for the area, which county officials say will expand access to specialist care. “This is a revolution for rural patients who no longer need to travel to Nairobi for consultations,” said a nurse at the facility.
Land reforms were another focal point. More than 156,000 title deeds have been registered across Maara, Igamba Ng’ombe and Tharaka, a development President Ruto’s administration says will boost investment confidence. “Registration and issuance of title deeds is ongoing,” wrote @_iam_dan. “It’s a major step in securing land ownership.”
Despite the excitement, analysts caution that Tharaka Nithi still trails economically. Meru leads the region in agricultural value chains, particularly miraa and dairy, while Embu has carved a niche in value addition and savings-led microenterprise. Tharaka Nithi, with a smaller population and lower per-capita output, has historically struggled to attract industrial-scale investors.
“The county is trending, yes, but its task is to translate visibility into sustained competitiveness,” said a Nairobi-based economic consultant. “It has to double down on irrigation, roads and agribusiness to catch up with Meru and Embu.”
For now, residents appear buoyed by the new focus.
