The Government is set to construct modern hostels at Thika Technical Training Institute (TTTI) and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Thika Campus to address the acute student accommodation shortage.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki revealed that the government has allocated KSh 672 million for a 2,000-bed capacity hostel at TTTI and an additional KSh 580 million for a 1,160-bed facility at KMTC Thika.
The projects come against the backdrop of a biting housing crisis in Thika town that has forced thousands of learners to seek accommodation in the outskirts of the town and in Witeithie Estate, a peri-urban settlement in neighbouring Juja.
"For our young people in technical institutions, we are constructing hostels so that they can have decent accommodation, study in better conditions, pass their examinations, support their families and contribute to building our nation," Prof. Kindiki said.
He spoke at Muguga in Thika East during an inspection of development projects including the Gatuanyaga ESP Market and the launch of tarmacking of the 6.7-kilometre Kwaheri–Mary Magdalene Road.
The DP was accompanied by Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a, Bishop David Ngari alias Gakuyo, Joachim Njama and other leaders.
Prof. Kindiki said the two student housing projects will be implemented within the shortest time possible to provide learners with a conducive environment for study and residence.
He noted that the hostels are part of the Kenya Kwanza Government's wider Affordable Housing Programme being rolled out in Thika Town Constituency.
"We are also implementing affordable housing projects, with decent and affordable homes for the people of Thika. This will help address informal settlements and support the transformation of Thika into the modern city it was originally planned to become," he said.
He added: "There are many affordable housing projects in Kiambu. In Thika, we have the Thika Depot housing project, which is 70 per cent complete and involves the construction of 412 houses for KSh1 billion."
Other ongoing projects include the Thika UTI project with 573 houses at KSh1.5 billion, Kings Orchard at 70 per cent complete with 675 houses at KSh1.5 billion, and Thika Bustani with 875 houses at KSh2.1 billion.
The DP said the government is also implementing 31 markets in Kiambu County out of the nearly 600 markets being constructed nationwide, with five of them in Thika Town Constituency, to boost trade and spur economic growth.
On her part, MP Alice Ng'ang'a, who is eyeing the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, lauded the government for the projects, saying they will transform the region and improve residents' welfare.
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