Kiamumbi residents will benefit from improved access to government administrative services following the commissioning of a new chief’s office in Kiambu Town Constituency on Thursday.

The facility, comprising offices and a boardroom, was funded through the Kiambu Town National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) for the 2023/2024 financial year. Chief Antony Mwangi will be in charge of the office.

Speaking during the commissioning, Kiambu Town MP Machua Waithaka said the facility would spare residents the need to travel to Kiambu town to access services from their local administration.

“The project we have here will make work easier for Kiamumbi residents because they will no longer need to travel to Kiambu to access these services,” said Waithaka.

He added that residents will also have an opportunity to access services such as national identity card and birth certificate applications closer to home, as relevant officers are expected to visit the chief’s camp for about a week, with dates to be communicated.

Assistant County Commissioner, Mukami Kariuki, who represented the Deputy County Commissioner, commended Waithaka for working with the national government to support government programmes and projects.

“I would like to thank Mr. Machua for working with the national government to ensure that government programmes, projects and functions are carried out. For that, we are grateful,” she said.

Kariuki announced plans to hold a public baraza in Kiamumbi to engage residents on their concerns and urged parents to ensure their children remained in school, noting that education was important in preparing young people for future opportunities.

Chief Mwangi said Kiamumbi’s growing population and expanding settlements had increased the need for development and called on the MP to support residents’ requests, particularly for roads and street lighting to improve security.

“Kiamumbi Location is very large, stretching from Kamiti Road near Githurai 44 all the way to Kiambu High School. The population is also increasing and we therefore need more development due to high demand for public services and infrastructure,” he said.

He also urged qualified young people to prepare their documents ahead of an upcoming recruitment exercise for an assistant chief in Kiamumbi. He said applicants should have a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education mean grade of C− and above.

Elder Jennifer Mwaniki welcomed the new office, saying residents had previously faced long journeys to access their Chief’s services.

“When I first moved to Kiamumbi 25 years ago, we had to go to Kiambu to see the chief, which was a very long journey. We are now grateful to have Chief Antony and are happy that he has a beautiful office,” she said.

Another elder, James Ndung’u Kiama, asked the MP to improve street lighting, ensure better communication on bursaries and involve local elders in identifying youth for technical training and employment opportunities.

Waithaka announced plans for a two-kilometre tarmac road from the shooting range to the Catholic Church near Kiu Kenda, which will include a pedestrian walkway. He also encouraged young people to enroll in short technical courses offered through the constituency, including electrical installation, plumbing, catering and beauty courses.

The new chief’s camp is expected to bring essential administrative services closer to residents, while planned improvements to roads and access to technical training are aimed at addressing other needs raised by the community.

By Annrita Mutembei and Grace Naishoo