Residents criticise naming of Chuka town streets after prominent politicians
A composite picture of two streets in Chuka town named for President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU |
What you need to know:
- Tharaka-Nithi County communication boss Douglas Kaunda said the county government did not participate nor was it consulted.
- On his official Facebook page, Prof Kindiki denied being consulted before one of the streets was named for him.
The naming of Chuka town streets after President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and other leaders has sparked mixed reactions.
Residents have questioned the criteria used to select the names of local leaders, including Senator Kithure Kindiki and Chuka/Igambang’ombe MP Muthomi Njuki.
A resident, John Mutegi, told the Nation that locals were not consulted.
“We have heroes and heroines in our community like the Mau Mau veterans who should be honoured instead of very young politicians,” said Mr Mutegi.
Businesswoman Lucy Kaari said the business community should also have been consulted in the naming of the streets, which started last Saturday.
Tharaka-Nithi County communication boss Douglas Kaunda said the county government did not participate nor was it consulted.
“We were surprised to see signposts in town bearing some names,” said Mr Kaunda.
KITHURE KINDIKI DECLINES HONOUR
Town Administrator Boniface Murithi said the county had written to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) demanding to know why the streets were named without their involvement.
On his official Facebook page, Prof Kindiki denied being consulted before one of the streets was named for him.
“I do not believe a public facility should be named after me, not now, not in the future, because I have not yet made enough sacrifices to our community’s development to warrant a road being named in my honour,” said Prof Kindiki.
He said there are many leaders who made huge sacrifices and contributions to the community.
“I am writing formally to decline the honour in good faith for the sake of the leadership values I believe in,” he said.
Speaking to the Nation by phone, Mr Njuki said the names were selected by the Chuka/Igambang’ombe Development Association (CIDA).
“These names were picked in good faith by the committee that pushed for the tarmacking of the town,” he said.
CIDA chairman Gitari Keah said the committee considered the names of leaders who actively contributed in getting the streets tarmacked.
“We did not include the name of Tharaka-Nithi Governor Samuel Ragwa because he was not instrumental in the project,” said Mr Keah.
