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.
County Government – Murang’a County
The Constitution of Kenya (2010) created 47 regional governments with the formerly larger Murang’a district as a county. The county government is composed of an executive branch and an assembly.
Executive – Murang’a County
The executive arm is headed by a governor, a position currently held by Hon. Mwangi wa Iria. He is deputised by Hon. Maina Kamau. The governor is assisted by a team of ministerial members referred to as County Executive Committee (CEC), which has ten other members. The individuals and their portfolios include
| CEC member | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Hon. Githirwa M. Macharia | Environment & Natural Resources |
| Hon. Muiruri Maina Edward | Youth,Sports,Gender,Culture,social services Co-operatives & special Programmes. |
| Hon. George M. Kamau | Finance,IT & Economic Planning |
| Hon. Nyambura Macharia | Public Service |
| Hon. Albert Mwaniki | Agriculture, Livestock & Irrigation |
| Hon. Eng. Amos Njoroge | Energy Transport & Infrastructure Development |
| Hon. David W. Waweru | Commerce,Trade, Industry & Investment |
| Hon. Dr. Susan Muthoni Magada | Health, water & sanitation |
| Hon. Gerishon Nyagia | Education & Technical Training |
| Hon. Sarah Masaki | Lands, Housing & Planning |
County Assembly
Murang’a County Assembly is located in Murang’a town along Kiria-ini Road. The Assembly is housed in the building formerly occupied by the Municipal Council of Murang’a.
Murang’a County has 35 MCAs, a speaker and 16 nominated members. The current speaker of the assembly is Hon.Leonard Nduati, deputized by Hon. Moses Gachui. The Assembly is administratively managed by Clerk to the Assembly, a post currently occupied by Peter Ndegwa Mbue. The assembly’s Majority Leader is Hon. Peter Irungu Kihungi.
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 648,333 | — |
| 1989 | 858,063 | +32.3% |
| 1999 | 736,273 | −14.2% |
| 2009 | 942,581 | +28.0% |
| 2019 | 1,056,640 | +12.1% |
| source:[3] |
Learning Institutions
Currently, there is only one public university in the county, known as Murang’a University of Technology (MUT). MUT was established in September 2011 via Murang’a University College order legal notice No. 129 of September 2011 as a constituent College of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. MUT is the successor of Murang’a University College and Murang’a College of Technology. The University currently operates under the provision of the Universities Act 2012 CAP 210 B of the laws of Kenya. M
The University is located 1.5 km from Murang’a town, 85 km North East of Nairobi, 70 km South East of Nyeri and 50 km South West of Embu.
County subdivisions
| Local authorities (councils) | |||
| Authority | Type | Population* | Urban pop.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murang’a | Municipality | 24,443 | 11,021 |
| Kangema | Town | 18,229 | 3,971 |
| Murang’a County | County | 305,632 | 0 |
| Total | – | 348,304 | 14,992 |
| * 1999 census. Source: |
| Administrative divisions | ||||
| Division | Population* | Urban pop.* | Headquarters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiharu | 84,868 | 10,433 | Murang’a | |
| Kahuro | 92,104 | 0 | ||
| Kangema | 61,182 | 785 | Kangema | |
| Mathioya | 110,139 | 0 | Kiria-ini | |
| Total | 348,304 | 11,218 | – | |
| * 1999 census. Sources: |
The county has seven constituencies:
- Kangema Constituency
- Kiharu Constituency
- Mathioya Constituency
- Kigumo Constituency
- Kandara Constituency
- Maragwa Constituency
- Gatanga Constituency
The county has several upcoming towns:
Central Kenya Region
Urbanisation
| County | Urbanisation in Central Kenya (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Kiambu County | 60.8 |
| Nyeri County | 24.5 |
| Nyandarua County | 18.5 |
| Murang’a County | 16.3 |
| Kirinyaga County | 15.8 |
 Kenya Average | 32.3 |
| Urbanisation by County in Central Kenya |
Wealth/Poverty Level
| County | Poverty Level in Central Kenya (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Kirinyaga County | 25.2 |
| Murang’a County | 28.5 |
| Kiambu County | 28.9 |
| Nyeri County | 32.7 |
| Nyandarua County | 46.6 |
| Kenya Average | 45.9 |
| Poverty level by County |
Cash crops in Murang’a county:
- Tea
- Coffee
Notable people
- 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 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
Murang’a County Government
P.O.Box 52-10200
Murang’a
info@muranga.go.ke
Tel: 07
