Masinga could become a major food supplier to Nairobi and surrounding towns if its water resources, roads and agricultural potential are properly developed, Green Thinking Action Party (GTAP) Executive Director Joe Kithyaka has said as he declared his intention to contest the constituency’s parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election.
Kithyaka said he plans to make agriculture, water and infrastructure the main focus of his campaign, arguing that Masinga has fertile land, a large workforce and a strategic location that could support large-scale food production if the challenges facing farmers are addressed.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Thursday, Kithyaka said the constituency is close enough to Nairobi and other major towns to make farming a profitable economic activity, but poor roads, limited water infrastructure and what he described as a lack of strategic leadership have held back its growth.
“It should be one of the food baskets for the city and also for the area around Thika. But unfortunately, because of lack of leadership, we have lacked the initiatives of the farmers being able to produce to their capacity. The ground is very good. We have very good soils. We have a very good workforce. What we lack is normally the infrastructure and water.”
Kithyaka said some parts of Masinga are located between about 60 and 135 kilometres from Nairobi, giving the constituency an advantage when it comes to supplying fresh produce to the capital and neighbouring urban centres.
He identified poor roads as one of the biggest barriers to agricultural growth, particularly for farmers growing mangoes and oranges.
According to Kithyaka, farmers can produce more but face difficulties getting their harvests from farms to markets because of inadequate transport networks. He said better roads would make it easier for farmers to reach buyers while also supporting other businesses and economic activities within the constituency.
Water remains another major concern for residents, despite Masinga being home to one of the country’s major water reservoirs.
Kithyaka raised concerns about communities living around Masinga Dam continuing to experience water shortages. He attributed the situation to inadequate infrastructure and poor planning, saying residents and schools have not been able to fully benefit from the water resources available in the area.
He said better planning could allow water from Masinga Dam and seasonal rivers to support irrigation and farming, helping residents reduce their dependence on rainfall.
Masinga is one of eight constituencies in Machakos County and covers about 1,407 square kilometres. It had a population of 148,522 according to the 2019 census and consists of Kivaa, Masinga Central, Ekalakala, Muthesya and Ndithini wards.
The constituency is also home to Masinga Dam, a key facility in Kenya’s Seven Forks hydroelectric power scheme.
Kithyaka said the presence of the dam and seasonal rivers gives Masinga an opportunity to expand farming if the available water is properly channelled for irrigation and other economic activities.
His decision to seek the parliamentary seat comes as GTAP works to expand its political presence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The party was formed around the Covid-19 period under its leader, Isaac Kalua Green, and has built its political agenda around environmental conservation and development.
GTAP's key areas of focus include tree planting, pollution control and conservation. The party is among smaller political formations seeking to grow their support outside the traditional political strongholds as parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 elections.
Kenya's political scene has also continued to see smaller parties seek a bigger role through coalitions, grassroots mobilisation and independent candidates.
The governing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been building its structures while working more closely with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), as President William Ruto's administration prepares for the 2027 election.
Opposition and emerging parties, including the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and Wiper Patriotic Front, have also been positioning themselves for the contest, with leaders considering alliances and possible candidates.
Kithyaka said GTAP intends to use the growing political interest to increase the number of candidates it fields across the country.
He said the party had about 164 aspirants in the 2022 General Election but has already recorded greater interest ahead of the next polls.
“By Monday, we had almost 215 interested people in various positions all around the country, yeah, all around the country, actually ranging from MCAs all the way to governors.”
Kithyaka said the party would initially concentrate on winning seats at the county and parliamentary levels instead of presenting a presidential candidate.
For Masinga, he said his campaign will be based on a development plan prepared through public participation, with the aim of attracting both government and donor support to finance priority projects.
Kithyaka said his broader goal is to make Masinga a model constituency in Ukambani by turning its agricultural potential into a source of jobs, food and economic growth.
He said improved roads, better access to water and proper development planning would be central to achieving that goal if he is elected MP in 2027