Murang'a County
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Murang'a County is one of the
counties of Kenya The counties of Kenya () are geographical units created by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 Constitution of Kenya as the new units of devolution, devolved government. They replaced the previous Provinces of Kenya, provincial system. The establ ...
's former Central Province. Its largest town and capital is
Murang'a Murang'a is a town in Murang'a County of Kenya. It is the administrative headquarters of Murang'a County and is mainly inhabited by the Kikuyu community. Before the Kenyan independence in 1963, the town was known as Fort Hall. Fort Hall was ...
, which was referred to as Fort Hall during the colonial era. The county is inhabited mainly by, and is considered the birthplace of the Gikuyu, the largest ethnic group in Kenya. The county had a population of 1,056,640 as of the 2019 census.


History

When
missionaries A missionary is a member of a religious group who is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Thomas Hale 'On Being a Miss ...
first came to Kenya, they found the Coast Region already inhabited by Portuguese who had taken the coast strategically 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 East Africa Protectorate (also known as British East Africa) was a British protectorate in the African Great Lakes, occupying roughly the same area as present-day Kenya, from the Indian Ocean inland to the border with Uganda in the west. Contr ...
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 The Mau Mau rebellion (1952–1960), also known as the Mau Mau uprising, Mau Mau revolt, or Kenya Emergency, was a war in the British Kenya Colony (1920–1963) between the Kenya Land and Freedom Army (KLFA), also known as the Mau Mau, and the ...
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 The Aberdare Range (formerly the Sattima Range, Kikuyu: ''Nyandarua'') is a long mountain range of upland, north of Kenya's capital Nairobi with an average elevation of . It straddles the counties of Nyandarua, Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu and ...
, Mathioya, Kayahwe, Irati and Muriurio among others. Additionally, Murang'a is known for its fertile soil and good climate, which are good for farming. Among the food crops grown in this county include maize, beans, sweet potatoes, arrow roots, pumpkins, and bananas. Tea and coffee are the county's main cash crops.


County government

The Constitution of
Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...
(2010) created 47 regional governments with the formerly larger Murang'a district as a county. The County Government has two arms, and these are; the County Assembly and the County Executive. . The county uses the code 021 on the national coding scheme and locals famously refer to the county as Metumi.


Executive

From 2013 to 2022, the Executive arm was headed by Hon.
Mwangi wa Iria H.E. Hon. Mwangi Wa Iria (Born 28 August 1969) is the party leader of Usawa Kwa Wote Party and the immediate Former Governor of Murang'a County in Kenya. He is also the former Vice chairman of the Council of Governors of Kenya Kenya, of ...
, who was deputized by Hon Gakure Monyo during his first term and Hon Maina Kamau in his second term. In his last term, Mwangi wa Iria was assisted by a team of ministerial members referred to as County Executive Committee (CEC), which had ten other members. The individuals and their portfolios included: Following the end of the two terms of governorship by
Mwangi wa Iria H.E. Hon. Mwangi Wa Iria (Born 28 August 1969) is the party leader of Usawa Kwa Wote Party and the immediate Former Governor of Murang'a County in Kenya. He is also the former Vice chairman of the Council of Governors of Kenya Kenya, of ...
as stipulated by the Kenyan Law, Murang'a County voters voted in Dr. Francis Irungu Kang’ata as their second Governor in August 2022 general elections. Governor Francis Irungu took Oath of Office on 25 August 2022, together with his deputy Stephen Mburu Munania, who became the third Deputy Governor of Murang'a County.


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 position of the Speaker of the Assembly was formerly held by Hon. Leonard Nduati, deputized by Hon. Moses Gachui. Johnson Mukuha was voted in as the new Speaker in September 2022 by the majority of Members of County Assembly (MCAs). The Assembly is administratively managed by Clerk to the Assembly, a post formerly occupied by Peter Ndegwa Mbue. The current Clerk to the Assembly is Mr. Kuria Thuita. MEMBERS OF MURANG'A COUNTY ASSEMBLY(2022–2027) # Speaker - Johnson Mukuha - UDA # Deputy speaker - Moses Gachui Mungai - UDA # Majority Leader - Francis Kibe Kamau - UDA Elected Members of County Assembly.


Population


Religion

Religion in Murang'a County


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 September 2011 as a constituent College of
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) is a public university that is situated in Juja, 36 kilometres northeast of Nairobi, along the Nairobi-Thika SuperHighway, off Exit 15. It offers courses in Technology, Engineering, ...
. 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. The university is located 1.5 km from Murang'a town, 85 km North East of
Nairobi Nairobi is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Kenya. The city lies in the south-central part of Kenya, at an elevation of . The name is derived from the Maasai language, Maasai phrase , which translates to 'place of cool waters', a ...
, 70 km South East of
Nyeri Nyeri is a town situated in the Central Highlands of Kenya. It is the county headquarters of Nyeri County and was the central administrative headquarters of the country's former Central Province (Kenya), Central Province. The town is situated a ...
and 50 km South West of
Embu Embu may refer to: Places ; in Brazil * Embu das Artes * Embu-Guaçu ; in Kenya * Embu, Kenya * Embu County Other

*Embu people of Kenya *Embu language, the Bantu language spoken by them {{Disamb, geo ...
. There is also Kenya Medical Training College Murang’a Campus (KMTC). This Medical Training College is situated in Murang’a town, approximately 1 km from the town center. Having started in 1950s as a training Centre for Mid-wives, the college morphed into training nurses and gradually started offering Certificate and Diploma Courses in Nursing and Mental Health Psychiatry. Murang'a county also has a teachers training college,Murang'a Teachers college in Makuyu. The college offers training for primary school teachers. Another public institution is the Michuki Technical Training Institute which is located near Karugia Shopping Centre in Kangema subcounty. In 2022 Murang'a Technical Institute a TVET institute was opened in Maragua Town and offers diplomas and certificates in various trade


Economy

Murang’a County’s economy is deeply rooted in agriculture, real estate and agro-processing. Tea, coffee, macadamia, avocado and dairy dominate trade—with avocado orchards yielding ~KSh 1.5 M/acre/year and coffee and tea fuelled by contract-farming schemes . There ate major agri‑businesses like KTDA tea factories; of which Murang’a County is Kenya’s top tea producer, earning the highest tea revenue nationally. In 2024, local farmers received over KSh 17.8 billion in earnings, with bonuses exceeding KSh 52 per kilo. The thriving tea sector drives rural livelihoods, trade, and investment in value-added processing and cooperative societies. Kakuzi Limited PLC grows avocados, macadamia, blueberries, tea, and livestock—supporting 3,000+ smallholder farmers via its Avocado Smallholder Programme—and recently launched a macadamia oil plant, boosting value-addition and employment.
Del Monte Kenya Del Monte Kenya Limited is a Kenyan food processing company that operates in the cultivation, production, and canning of pineapple products.Fox, M. Louise; Liebenthal Robert (2006''Attacking Africa's Poverty: Experience from the Ground'' World ...
with pineapple farms extending into Murang’a, is a major exporter of canned pineapple and juice concentrates. It partners with Murang’a farmers through out-grower schemes and operates CSR initiatives, value addition, rural employment and infrastructure projects. Real estate around Thika Greens, Kenol town and Murang’a town is booming. Thika Greens Golf Resort hosted the Murang’a Investment Forum (June 13–14, 2025), where plans for industrial parks, agro-processing zones, and a 500‑acre export processing zone were unveiled with an aim to catalyze investment. Kenol Town (positioned on the Nairobi–Embu–Meru highway and the new Kenol–Isiolo superhighway) is seeing rising demand for residential and commercial lands. Murang’a town is also experiencing a boom in real estate and infrastructure development. The synergy between booming real estate and agriculture (with expanding orchards and processing zones) is transforming Murang’a into a dynamic commerce hub, catalyzed by policy support, private investment and infrastructure such as dual carriageways and smart-market upgrades.


County subdivisions

Electrol Constituencies in Murang'a County: *
Kangema Constituency Kangema Constituency is an electoral constituency in Muranga County, Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the ...
*
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 Mat ...
* Mathioya Constituency * Kigumo Constituency *
Kandara Constituency Kandara Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populou ...
* Maragwa Constituency * Gatanga Constituency Urban Centers in Murang'a County: * Kangare * Kirwara * Kenol * Kandara * Kabati * Makuyu * Maragwa *
Kangema Kangema is a settlement in Muranga County, Kenya. It is the birthplace of James Mwangi, the Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Equity Group Holdings Limited, the banking conglomerate with the largest customer bas ...
* Kiriani * Sabasaba * Gatura


Central Kenya Region


Urbanisation


Wealth/Poverty Level


Notable people

* Paramount Chief Karuri wa Gakure - A colonial tribal leader who died in 1916 who at one time was senior most chief in Kiambu, Murang'a and Nyeri Counties. *
Bildad Kaggia Bildad Mwaganu Kaggia (1921 – 7 March 2005) was a Kenyan nationalist, activist, and politician. Kaggia was a member of the Mau Mau Central Committee. After independence he became a Member of Parliament. He established himself as a militant, f ...
- A nationalist, activist, and politician. One of the
Kapenguria Six The Kapenguria Six – Bildad Kaggia, Kung'u Karumba, Jomo Kenyatta, Fred Kubai, Paul Ngei, and Achieng' Oneko – were six leading Kenyan nationalists who were arrested in 1952, tried at Kapenguria in 1952–53, and imprisoned thereafter i ...
prominent Kenyan nationalists. *
Kenneth Matiba Kenneth Stanley Njindo Matiba (1 June 1932 – 15 April 2018) was a Kenyan politician and an activist for democracy who came in at second place in the 1992 presidential election. In November 2007, he announced that he would stand as a preside ...
– Politician, former Cabinet Minister, First Kenyan Opposition Leader, Businessman and civil servant. * Dr. Julius Gikonyo Kiano- First black Kenyan to get a PhD degree, one founding figures of the
Republic of Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. K ...
, member of the initial independent
Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...
cabinet and long time cabinet minister; one time frontrunner for post of Secretary of
UNCTAD UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is an intergovernmental organization within the United Nations Secretariat that promotes the interests of developing countries in world trade. It was established in 1964 by the United Nations General Assembl ...
. Jointly with
Tom Mboya Thomas Joseph Odhiambo Mboya (15August 19305July 1969) was a Kenyan trade unionist, educator, Pan-Africanist, author, independence activist, and statesman. He was one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Kenya.Kenya Human Rights Commiss ...
organised with assistance of
John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), also known as JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the first Roman Catholic and youngest person elected p ...
, initially as Senator and briefly as President of US, the educational scholarships for many Kenyans who furthered their education in USA in the late 1950s and early 1960s, referred as
the Kennedy Airlifts The Kennedy Airlift was started in 1959 by a 28-year-old Kenyan, Tom Mboya, who sought support for promising Kenyan students to get college and university educations in the United States and Canada. It brought hundreds of students from East Africa ...
program. * Charles Rubia – First African Mayor of Nairobi, former Member of Parliament for
Starehe Constituency Starehe is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seventeen constituencies in Nairobi City County, consisting of central and central to north areas of Nairobi. The constituency was established for the 1966 elections, with an area of . I ...
, former Cabinet Minister in Kenyatta's Regime and a champion for Multi-party Democracy in Kenya, which he is mostly remembered for. *Professor
Njuguna Ndung'u Njuguna S. Ndung'u is a Kenyan economist who is the ex-Minister of Finance in the cabinet of President William Samoei Ruto from October 2022 to July 2024. Ndung'u previously served as the eighth Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya for two c ...
- A Kenyan
economist An economist is a professional and practitioner in the social sciences, social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy. Within this ...
, ex-
Minister of Finance A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfolio ...
and the 8th
Central Bank of Kenya The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) () is the monetary authority of Kenya. Its head office is located in Nairobi. CBK was founded by in 1966 after the dissolution of East African Currency Board (EACB). Dr. Kamau Thugge, CBS is the current Governor a ...
Governor. *Dr.
Patrick Njoroge Patrick Ngugi Njoroge is a Kenyan economist, banker and the ninth governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. Background and education Njoroge was born in Murang’a, Kenya, . His father was an official in the education department and his mother was ...
- 9th Governor of
Central Bank of Kenya The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) () is the monetary authority of Kenya. Its head office is located in Nairobi. CBK was founded by in 1966 after the dissolution of East African Currency Board (EACB). Dr. Kamau Thugge, CBS is the current Governor a ...
, the first Kenyan to earn a PhD from
Yale University Yale University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Stat ...
. *
Samuel Kamau Macharia Samuel Kamau Macharia (born 1942), also known as S.K. Macharia, is a Kenyan entrepreneur and media proprietor who serves as the founder and chairman of Royal Media Services, one of Kenya's largest private radio and television networks, with fl ...
- Also known as S.K. Macharia, a billionaire businessman who is the founder and chairman of Royal Media Services, one of Africa's largest private radio and television networks. *
Chris Kirubi Christopher John Kirubi (20 August 1941 – 14 June 2021), born in Murang'a County, was a Kenyan businessman, entrepreneur, and industrialist. He was a director at Centum Investment Company, a business conglomerate, of which he was the largest i ...
- A billionaire businessman, an entrepreneur, and an industrialist. * Peter Munga – A billionaire Businessman, Entrepreneur, the founder and Chairman of Equity Group. *Dr. James Mwangi – Entrepreneur, Businessman and Current C.E.O of Equity Group. *
Mwangi wa Iria H.E. Hon. Mwangi Wa Iria (Born 28 August 1969) is the party leader of Usawa Kwa Wote Party and the immediate Former Governor of Murang'a County in Kenya. He is also the former Vice chairman of the Council of Governors of Kenya Kenya, of ...
– Former Governor Murang'a County. * Irungu Kan'gata – Current Governor Murang'a County, Former
Senate of Kenya The Senate of the Republic of Kenya ( swahili: ''Seneti ya Jamhuri ya Kenya)'' is one of the two Houses of the Parliament of Kenya, along with the National Assembly. The Senate was first established as part of Kenya's 1963 Constitution. Af ...
Majority Chief Whip, a lawyer and a university law lecturer. *
Kembi Gitura James Kembi Gitura is a Kenyan politician. He was a Deputy Speaker of the Kenyan Senate between 2013 and 2017. Political life Gitura represented the Kiharu Constituency in the National Assembly (Kenya) from 2003 to 2007. Subsequently, he wa ...
– Former Senator Murang'a County, former Deputy Speaker of the
Senate of Kenya The Senate of the Republic of Kenya ( swahili: ''Seneti ya Jamhuri ya Kenya)'' is one of the two Houses of the Parliament of Kenya, along with the National Assembly. The Senate was first established as part of Kenya's 1963 Constitution. Af ...
. * Peter Kenneth – Presidential candidate 2013 elections, Former Assistant Minister and Member of Parliament. *Anthony Muheria - A Catholic bishop who serves as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nyeri, brother to Dr.
Patrick Njoroge Patrick Ngugi Njoroge is a Kenyan economist, banker and the ninth governor of the Central Bank of Kenya. Background and education Njoroge was born in Murang’a, Kenya, . His father was an official in the education department and his mother was ...
. *Joseph Kamaru – The Late Renowned Benga Musician. *John De'Mathew - Real name John Ng'ang'a Mwangi, a Kikuyu Benga artist who died in 2019. *John Njoroge Michuki – An entrepreneur, businessman and former Cabinet Minister. *Elias Mbau – Former MP for Maragua Constituency. *Ndindi Nyoro – Current MP Kiharu and Chairperson of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee. *Clement Muchiri Wambugu – Former MP, Mathioya Constituency *Gerishon Kirima - A major Kenya, Kenyan real estate investor and a former Member of Parliament for
Starehe Constituency Starehe is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of seventeen constituencies in Nairobi City County, consisting of central and central to north areas of Nairobi. The constituency was established for the 1966 elections, with an area of . I ...
. (d. 2010) *Maina wanjigi - A veteran politician, former Cabinet Minister and father to Jimmy Wanjigi. *Jimmy Wanjigi - A billionaire businessman and political strategist. *Jimnah Mbaru – Politician, Businessman, Entrepreneur. *Sabina Chege - The former Women Representative for Murang'a County. *Alice Muthoni Wahome – Former MP Kandara, and Current Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation. *Wangu wa Makeri – A woman colonial chief *Peter Kagwanja – A Scholar, Former Presidential Adviser. *Jamleck Kamau – Former Kigumo MP *Joseph Kamotho -Former Cabinet Minister,Former MP Deejays who are from Muranga..Several DJs are known to be from or associated with Murang'a County. Examples include DJ Sidge, who is based in Malindi but is from Murang'a, and DJ Kulukulu. Additionally, the Facebook page "Another star in making from Kambiti Nyarari ya Muranga" features DJ Sonnie M. Other DJs mentioned include Deejay Maclin, Deejay Tasmania, and Deejay ICE KENYA, though their specific Murang'a connections are less clear. Here's a bit more detail on some of them: DJ Sidge: While based in Malindi, he is originally from Murang'a. DJ Kulukulu: He is associated with events in Murang'a, including the "Tommorow night party @masters ent". DJ Sonnie M: Featured in a Facebook video from Kambiti Nyarari ya Muranga. Deejay Maclin: A professional DJ who uses Instagram to promote his services and is active in the Murang'a scene. Deejay Tasmania: A Kenyan DJ. Selektar King Rebel :Born and Raised In Nairobi..His parents are from Muranga County,Kiharu,Selektar King Rebel is a DJ, specifically a selector for Rebel Liberation Sounds, a reggae, dancehall, and afro music sound system.His Real Names are Peter Kamau Waithera.He was Born in 1982,He is a Father of Three Sons,Beres Mwangi Kamau,Walcott Mwangi Kamau and Ozil Mbuthia Kamau. He also previously played for New Wave Rock Sounds, focusing on roots music. He is also nominated as Producer of the year by the Dandora Hiphop City awards 2025. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Rebel Liberation Sounds: Founded by Selektar King Rebel in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 24, 2006, this sound system plays reggae, dancehall, and afro music. DJ/Selector: Selektar King Rebel is a DJ who specializes in selecting and playing music for Rebel Liberation Sounds. Producer Nomination:He went to school @ St Brigid's Primary School (Nairobi) and Jahmhuri High School then he joined kenya Polytechnics (Right now TUK University .. He has been nominated for "Producer of the Year" by the Dandora Hiphop City awards, with the code 523201. Previous Experience: He also played for New Wave Rock Sounds, focusing on roots music, between 2002 and 2007. Right now he Play Mugithii Music. Deejay ICE KENYA: Based in Murang'a town. DJ Boyie: Known for asking what comes to mind when people think of Murang'a County. DJ Xavi: Featured in a TikTok video at Murang'a high school. It's worth noting that Murang'a County also hosts events like the Murang'a County Kikuyu Music Festival, where DJs like DJ Smile and DJ Itokazi have participated.


See also

*Kikuyu people *Dedan Kimathi *Jomo Kenyatta *Kiriaini


References


External links


Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – Kenya AdminLevels 1-4
{{Kigumo town serves as the administrative centre of Kigumo Constituency. According to the 2019 census, the population was 92,814. Mathioya had a 2019 population of 92,814 and a projected 2024 population of around 95,200.{{cite web , title=Kenya: Counties and Sub-Counties , url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/kenya/admin/ , website=Citypopulation.de , access-date=2025-06-15


References

{{Reflist {{First and second-level administrative divisions of Kenya {{coord, 0, 45, S, 37, 7, E, type:adm2nd_region:KE-200, display=title {{Authority control Murang'a County, Counties of Kenya