Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Charles Thiong’o has stepped up his grassroots engagements in Githunguri Sub County, combining religious, community and development activities as he positions himself for the Githunguri parliamentary race in the 2027 General Election.
Thiong’o, who is seeking to succeed Githunguri MP in the next elections, spent the weekend traversing the constituency, meeting residents and participating in church, bereavement and sporting activities.
He was accompanied by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Githiga MCA Ruth Waithera and other county leaders during a series of engagements that brought him into direct contact with residents across the area.
At St John the Evangelist Catholic Church Parish in Githiga, the leaders joined congregants for Holy Mass celebrated by Fr Chris Kioko.
Thiong’o later attended a thanksgiving service at AIPCK Gitiha Church, where he interacted with worshippers and local residents.
His programme also included visits to families mourning their loved ones, where he offered condolences and support towards medical bills and funeral arrangements.
He later joined players and supporters of Githiga Olympic Rangers Football Club in an event to rally support for the team following its promotion to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Division Two league.
The team’s promotion has generated enthusiasm among local football enthusiasts, with leaders and residents calling for increased support for sporting talent as a pathway for youth empowerment.
Thiong’o said his engagements with residents were also an opportunity to listen to their concerns and understand their development priorities.
He pledged that, if elected MP, he would move quickly to address the constituency’s most pressing needs.
“We shall hit the ground running and implement the key development projects for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The Speaker has increasingly linked his political ambitions to a development agenda centred on infrastructure, health, markets, agriculture and youth empowerment.
His latest engagements came shortly after he accompanied Governor Wamatangi and other county leaders during a farm input distribution programme in Ikinu Ward.
The initiative is aimed at supporting farmers and strengthening food production as the rains begin, with the county government seeking to improve agricultural productivity and household food security.
Thiong’o and the leaders also inspected several ongoing projects, including the Gathanje Level Two Hospital and the Mutuya-Gathanje bridge, which connects Ikinu and Githunguri wards.
The bridge is considered an important link for residents and traders moving between the two areas and is expected to improve transport and access to markets and public services once completed.
Thiong’o said leaders were also pursuing acquisition of land for the construction of Ikinu Market, noting that lack of public land in the town had delayed development of a modern trading facility.
Meanwhile, construction of Karia Market, the second major market project in Ikinu Ward, is nearing completion.
Plans are also underway to upgrade Ikinu Town through cabro paving, with the project expected to commence soon.
The Speaker said the projects were part of efforts to accelerate development in areas that he argued had for years received inadequate attention.
He promised continued pressure on government departments and agencies to ensure that projects earmarked for the constituency are implemented within the required timelines.
“We are unapologetic in sustaining follow up on development projects across all our wards, including lobbying with all relevant government agencies for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The renewed focus on development comes as political activity begins to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
For Thiong’o, the constituency wide engagements provide an opportunity to consolidate his grassroots networks while presenting himself to voters as a leader focused on service delivery.
His campaign is likely to face a competitive field as prospective candidates position themselves for the parliamentary seat.
The Githunguri race is expected to attract considerable attention given the constituency’s political influence within Kiambu and its strategic importance in the county’s wider electoral contest.
Thiong’o’s supporters have portrayed his experience in county leadership as an advantage, arguing that his position as Speaker has given him exposure to legislative processes, county administration and development planning.
His opponents, however, are expected to focus the contest on constituency level performance, accessibility and the ability of the next MP to secure national government projects and resources for Githunguri.
For now, Thiong’o is maintaining a busy grassroots schedule, combining church functions, community support, sports activities and inspection of development projects as he seeks to strengthen his political base.
His message is increasingly centred on continuity, development and closer engagement with residents.
