About Us

Tharaka constituency was established in the year 1992 after being split from then Meru District. Tharaka has five wards; Marimanti, Gatunga, Nkondi, Mukothima and Chiakariga. It is a semi-desert region enjoying very little rainfall with main economic activities being small scale farming. Its approximate land mass is 2609 km square .It is made up of 42 clans namely;Kathoga,kamurige,Muruguru,Kitherini,Kanjirua,Gakiina,Gakuyu,Kanyaki,Kamugao,
Gatue,Ukuuyiu, Kanyaki etc.
The constituency boost of posting 192 primary schools,45 secondary schools and institutions of higher learning; Tharaka University College, Kenya Water institute -Chikariga, Kenya Medical and Trainning College(KMTC) Marimanti and Tharaka Vocational and Training College (TTI).
Since independence Tharaka has elected five mps ; , Hon.James Njeru Gituriandu(1963-1979 )Hon.Silas Njagi Kiondo(1979-1988), Hon.Francis Nyamu Kagwima(1988-1987,2002-2007) , Hon.Alex Mburi Mwiru(2007-2017) and current Hon. George Gitonga Murugaara(2017-).Tharaka is politically active region with some of top politicians being the immediate former senate deputy speaker Hon.Prof.Kithure Kindiki.
Tharaka community is inhibited by Tharaka people who are Bantus and who mother language of communication is Kitharaka. It has approximate population of 232,000 people according to 2019 census and approximately 68,000 registered voters according to IEBC voters register of 2017 elections
Despite semi desert climatic condition that is characterized with inadequate rainfall and high temperatures,
though Tharaka practices agriculture with their main crops being green grams and sorghum. Irrigation farming is practiced on some parts of Kithino, Ruungu, Mukothima and Marimati with major
emphasize on growing bananas and papayas for export. Livestock keeping is practiced though on small scales.
Tharaka has a deeply entrenched culture based on age set systems and clans and they show case their culture every August of every year in a cultural event known as Tharaka Ura-Gate
Cultural Festival held up at Ura Gate Centre, Mukothima ward.