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Akithi Ward: A Comprehensive Profile of Tigania West Constituency.
Akithi ward stands as a significant administrative and electoral division within Tigania West Constituency, one of the nine constituencies in Meru County, Kenya. This report explores the geographical characteristics, demographic profile, property market trends, and ongoing infrastructure developments in this dynamic rural region.
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Geographical Context and Administrative Structure.
Akithi is one of the five wards that constitute Tigania West Constituency, a predominantly rural area located in Meru County in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. The constituency spans approximately 455.10 square kilometers, with Akithi ward occupying about 74.10 square kilometers of this territory. Geographically, Tigania West borders Tigania East to the East, North Imenti to the South, Buuri to the West, and extends to the boundaries of two counties – Tharaka Nithi County to the South-East and Isiolo County to the North-West.
Akithi ward encompasses ten sub-locations: Mweronkanga, Limbine, Maanthi, Karii, Mwili, Kaliati, Ntiba, Kitheo, Mucuune, and Twale. The ward is situated approximately 13 kilometers from Meru Town, which serves as the Meru County headquarters. Tigania West falls under the upper highland zones of Meru county, influencing its climate and agricultural potential.
Demographic Profile.
Akithi ward has a population of approximately 35,646 residents, making it the second most populous ward in Tigania West Constituency after Kianjai. According to electoral data from September 2005, Akithi had 12,208 registered voters. The entire Tigania West Constituency had a population of 135,980 people as of 2013, with 64,981 males and 70,999 females, yielding a gender index (women to men) of 1.09.
The constituency features over 29,810 households with an average household size of 4.56 persons. As of 2017, the constituency had 64,114 registered voters according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) records. Assuming the national annual population growth rate of 2.6%, the population of Tigania West by the end of 2022 would have been around 175,772 residents.
Land Ownership and Property Market.
Land for Sale in Akithi, Tigania West – Land Disputes and Resolution.
A significant land issue in the region involved Akithi Ranching Company Ltd, which claimed 33,000 acres of land in Tigania West that borders Isiolo County, including parts of the Isiolo International Airport. This dispute affected more than 3,300 residents of Rwanda Location. The company’s 33-year lease for the land within Kiare Adjudication section expired in 2015, and in February 2023, Justice Charles Yano dismissed the company’s petition to bar the government from subdividing the land for residents.
Local land ownership issues continue to be addressed through the courts, as evidenced by a 2023 case involving a parcel in Muili village (Tigania West/Akithi III/1388) measuring about 0.1425 hectares.
Property Market Trends.
While specific data for Akithi’s property prices is limited, Kenya’s broader real estate market provides context for understanding local trends. The Kenya Bankers Association Housing Price Index (KBA-HPI) reported that house prices in Kenya dropped by 1.1% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter and fell 14.28% year-on-year. This national downturn likely affects property values in Akithi as well.
Despite this recent decline, Kenya’s real estate sector has generally experienced growth, contributing 8.6% to the country’s GDP in 2022. This growth is driven by multiple factors including population increase, urbanization, and rising incomes.
Infrastructure Development: Road Infrastructure.
Significant road improvement projects have been implemented in Akithi ward. The County Government of Meru, through its Department of Roads, Transport and Energy, has undertaken dozing and grading works on ten major roads within Akithi:
- Kaubi-Baimau-Kauline Road
- Njuguna-Muchuune Road
- Kwa Patrick-Kwa Ntaari Road
- Gatumbi-Kiui Road
- Maathi-Kathima-Gatumbi Road
- Nkui-Liutu-Muthuiya
- Kitheo-Murichia-Kieni Kia Ngai
- Kimuthi-Kaliati Road
- Muili Muthangene Factory
- Muili-Kathungu-Muili Market-M’Kombe
Healthcare and Community Facilities.
Several infrastructure projects are currently underway in Tigania West that benefit Akithi ward and surrounding areas. These include:
- Development of healthcare facilities: Kimanchia and Machegene dispensaries are being established to improve healthcare access
- Water infrastructure: The Tigania water supply project aims to enhance water availability in the region.
- Land administration: Akithi III project for registration of ownership and issuance of land certificates is ongoing, which will formalize land tenure and potentially stimulate property development.
- Environmental conservation: Rehabilitation of Mbututia sacred lake and other wetlands is underway, preserving natural resources.
Economic Activities.
The economy of Akithi and the broader Tigania West region is predominantly agricultural. The area’s location in the upper highlands of Meru County makes it suitable for various farming activities. Major economic activities in the district revolve around tea, coffee, and miraa farming, with livestock keeping also practiced extensively.
Conclusion.
Akithi ward represents a dynamic component of Tigania West Constituency with significant development potential. The ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly in road networks, healthcare facilities, and water supply systems, indicate government commitment to improving living conditions in the region. While the property market may be affected by national trends showing price declines, the resolution of major land disputes and efforts to formalize land ownership suggest a stabilizing foundation for future development.
As population growth continues and infrastructure improves, Akithi is likely to experience increased economic activity and property development. However, careful planning will be essential to ensure that this growth is sustainable and benefits the predominantly rural population that calls this region home.
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