Murang’a Tycoons Finally Channel Wealth Home After Years of Silence

Murang'a County is currently undertaking a significant economic transformation, aiming to convert its historical legacy into tangible local development through an ambitious industrialisation strategy. 

The county, once a wellspring of Kenya's corporate leaders, seeks to address an imbalance where its sons and daughters have shaped national sectors like banking and media, while much of Murang'a itself remains underdeveloped. This initiative follows assertions, such as that from former PS Bitange Ndemo, that Rwathia village alone once generated nearly a fifth of Kenya's GDP.

Governor Irungu Kang'ata's administration unveiled its county-wide industrialisation strategy at the investment conference held on June 13, positioning Murang'a as ripe for transformative public-private partnerships. The strategy mandates that all county departments align their plans with this new economic direction, to catalyse investments in manufacturing, agro-processing, and value addition. Historically, Murang'a has grappled with structural challenges including fragmented landholdings, chronic youth unemployment, limited access to capital, and rising alcoholism. 

Agriculture, the mainstay of the local economy, has suffered from post-harvest losses, insecurity, and unfair market practices by brokers. These issues contribute to a situation where, despite producing influential figures like Equity Bank's James Mwangi, Britam's Benson Wairegi, and the late entrepreneur Chris Kirubi, the county's economic landscape reveals stark contrasts between national influence and local underdevelopment.

The industrialisation blueprint draws inspiration from East Asian economies, where strategic policy reform and export-led growth lifted millions out of poverty. Kang'ata emphasises that Murang'a's progress hinges on attracting financiers and ensuring that growth improves the lives of ordinary residents. Peter Munga, a veteran investor with a legacy in banking and education, has long advocated for strong incentives to stimulate rural investment, viewing job creation and skills-based industries as essential for uplifting the youth in Murang'a.

This pivot seeks to correct a historical missed opportunity: the failure of previous generations of Murang'a elites to channel their wealth back into the grassroots economy. Kanene Kabiru, Economic Director at Rwathia Distributors Company, has voiced concerns over the reluctance of Murang'a-born tycoons to invest locally, arguing that the county's poverty stems from a disconnect between legacy and locality. The county aims to cluster sub-counties like Mathioya, Kiharu, and Gatanga based on economic strengths to streamline investment targeting, signalling a renewed sense of optimism.

The members of the Mt Kenya Foundation and the Council of Eminent Persons, a powerful constellation of political and business leaders, have begun to echo the urgency of reinvesting in their home turf, indicating a growing consensus among private sector heavyweights. A key goal of this economic revival is the elevation of Murang'a town to city status by 2032. Once a colonial outpost known as Fort Hall, the town is now central to the county's push to attain middle-income status through the development of export-ready manufacturing, affordable housing, and resilient service sectors. 

County executives argue that this initiative extends beyond a branding exercise, necessitating sustained investment, data-driven policy, and regional equity.

Murang'a's political leaders are actively pressing the national government for a fairer share of resources and inclusive project implementation. Youth leaders like Chief Executive Noah Gachucha are advocating for balance across wards, regardless of political allegiance, given accusations of favouritism and skewed resource allocation. 

Gachucha projects that the county's industrial and public-private partnership efforts could yield over 300,000 new jobs by the end of the decade if executed faithfully. Senator Joe Nyutu has pledged to lobby for national support in policy and funding, demonstrating strong backing for the investment campaign.