Constituencies of Kenya are used to elect members of the Kenyan parliament. In accordance with article 89 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya, there are 290 constituencies, based on a formula where these constituencies were to be delineated based on population numbers. List of constituencies in Murang’a County
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Murang’a County is one of the counties of Kenya’s former Central Province. Its largest town and capital is Murang’a, formerly referred to as Fort Hall during the colonial era. It is inhabited mainly by and is considered the home of the Gikuyu, the largest community in Kenya. The county has a population of 1,056,640 (2019 census)
When missionaries first came to Kenya, they found the Coast Region already inhabited by Portuguese, who had taken the coast, strategic for trade, from Arab powers in the 16th century. The missionaries ventured into Kenya’s rugged interior and Murang’a was one of the first places they settled.
When the British set up the East African Protectorate in 1895, their first administrative post (Fort Smith) was located in Murang’a.
One of the main highlights of Murang’a’s history, however, is the Mau Mau uprising that was led by the Agikuyu community who consider Murang’a their ancestral origin. Murang’a is thus considered, at least by some, the birthplace of the Kenyan independence movement.
Missionaries had initially been welcomed by Karuri Wagakure who was the chief of Tuthu. They set up the first mission church in Kenya at Murang’a.
Murang’a is also the source of Rivers Maragua, which originates from the heart of the Aberdare Range, Mathioya, Kayahwe, Irati and Muriurio among others.
Additionally, Murang’a is known for its fertile farming soil and good climate. Food crops such as maize, beans, sweet potatoes, arrow roots, pumpkins and bananas are grown in the region. Tea and coffee are the County’s main cash crops
List of All constituencies in Murang’a County
Kangema Constituency
Kangema Constituency is an electoral constituency in Muranga County, Kenya. It encompasses Kangema township which is the headquarters of the newly created Murang’a North District. Murang’a North is a heavily populated district of the Central Province and it covers a vast portion of the Aberdare Ranges. The economic mainstay for Kangema is agriculture, most of the land being under Tea, Coffee, wattle and subsistence food crops. There is vibrant trade of consumer goods in the township and the adjacent towns of Gakira, Gitugu, Kiairathe Kanyenya-ini and Rwathia. Nascent industry includes milk, tea and coffee processing factories. The area is well served by transport and communication infrastructure.
Kiharu Constituency
Kiharu Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seven constituencies of Muranga County. The Murang’a town is located within this constituency. Between 1966-1983 the constituency was known as Mbiri Constituency. Kenneth Matiba, a prominent Kenyan politician, represented this constituency previously. Currently, the constituency is being represented by Ndindi Nyoro, a politically energetic young man. constituencies in Murang’a County
Mathioya Constituency
Mathioya Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seven constituencies of Muranga County. The constituency has three wards comprising Kiru, Kamacharia and Gitugi wards all electing Members of the County Assembly to the Muranga County Assembly.
Mathioya Constituency has five Locations: Aberdare Forest, Gitugi, Kamacharia, Kiru, Njumbi, and Rwathia. According to the Muranga District’s Statistics Office 2001, Mathioya’s population is 110,139, and is the second largest Constituency after Kiharu with 136.9 sq miles (220.8sq. km). Mathioya however is the most densely populated with 110,139 against the nearest Kahuro Constituency with 92,104.
It prides itself with the great River Mathioya after which the constituency is named and which is one of the hardest rafting rivers in Kenya with over 137 ft of descent over its 13.7-mile length. It attracts tourists who risk kayaking through the swift meanders. Mathioya Constituency has a steep hilly topography and a climate suitable mainly for tea production, although there are pockets of coffee plantations. The lower parts of Mathioya also grow the macadamia nuts which were introduced in the mid 80’s by the Kenya Nut Company, while the upper part, which is much cooler due to the proximity to the Aberdare Ranges grows pears, plums, and apples. The following Members of Parliament have represented the constituency.
Kigumo Constituency
Kigumo Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of the seven districts of Muranga County. It was previously one of three constituencies in the former Maragua District, Central Province. The constituency was established for the 1963 elections. constituencies in Murang’a County
Kandara Constituency
Kandara Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seven constituencies in Muranga County. It was one of three constituencies in the former Maragua District, Central Province. The constituency was established for the 1963 elections.
Maragwa Constituency
Maragua Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seven constituencies in Muranga County. It was one of three constituencies in the former Maragua District, Central Province. The constituency was established for the 1997 elections.
Gatanga Constituency
Gatanga Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seven constituencies in Muranga County. The constituency has seven wards, all of them are within Murang’a County council. The constituency was established for the 1988 elections when the Kandara Constituency was split into two. Gatanga Constituency consists of Gatanga and Kakuzi administrative divisions, the latter was added in 2002 constituencies in Murang’a County
Notable people from Murang’a County
- Kenneth Matiba – Politician, First Kenyan Opposition Leader, Business Man, civil servant
- Charles Rubia – First African Mayor of Nairobi
- Mwangi wa Iria – Governor
- Irungu Kan’gata – Current senator
- Kembi Gitura – Former Senator Murang’a County
- Peter Kenneth – Presidential candidate 2013 elections, Former Assistant Minister and Member of Parliament
- Sabina Wanjiru Chege – Chairperson of Health Committee in National Assembly, MP, Woman Representative Murang’a County
- Joseph Kamaru – Renowned Benga Musician
- Dr Gacuuru Wa Karenge – Former MP Kandara
- John Njoroge Michuki – Former Cabinet Minister
- Elias Mbau – Former MP
- Ndindi Nyoro – Current MP Kiharu
- Clement Muchiri Wambugu – Former MP, Mathioya Constituency
- James Mwangi – Entrepreneur, Businessman and Current C.E.O of Equity Bank
- Peter Munga – Businessman, Entrepreneur
- Jimnah Mbaru – Politician, Businessman, Entrepreneur
- Alice Muthoni Wahome – Current MP Kandara
- James Kiarie Asaph- Former Muranga Town Council Planner.
- Wangu wa Makeri – A woman colonial chief
- Peter Kagwanja – A Scholar, Presidential Adviser
