Muranga County News
Murang’a County is one of the five counties in Central region of the Republic of Kenya. It is bordered to the North by Nyeri county, to the South by Kiambu county, to the West by Nyandarua county and to the East by Kirinyaga county, Embu county and Machakos county. It lies between latitudes 0o 34’ South and 107’ South and Longitudes 36o East and 37o 27’ East. The county occupies a total area of 2,558.8Km2.
Geography, Climate and Weather of Muranga County
Physiographic and Natural Conditions
The county lies between 914 m above sea level (ASL) in the East and 3,353 m above sea level (ASL) along the slopes of the Aberdare Mountains in the West. The highest areas in the west have deeply dissected topography and are drained by several rivers. All the rivers flow from the Aberdare ranges to the West, South Eastward to join Tana River.
The geology of the County consists of volcanic rocks of the Pleistocene age and basement system rock of Achaean type. Volcanic rocks occupy the western part of the county bordering the Aberdare’s while rocks of the basement system are in the eastern part. Porous beds and disconformities within the volcanic rock system form important aquifers, collecting and moving ground water, thus regulating water supply from wells and boreholes.
The topography and geology of the county is both an asset and liability to the county’s development. The highest areas form the rain catchment areas from where most of rivers draining the county originate. The terrain is dissected creating the menace of landslides and gulley erosion. The numerous streams and valleys necessitate the construction of numerous bridges to connect one ridge to the other; construction and maintenance of roads are therefore made difficult and expensive. Soils emanating from the volcanic activity are generally fertile and important for agriculture. The slopes in the rich volcanic soils on the higher altitudes are particularly suitable for tea growing.
Ecological Conditions
The county is divided into six agro ecological zones. The agro-ecological zone one consists of the highest potential zones where forestry, tea and tourism industry form the most important economic activities. Agro-ecological zones two and three are the lowlands east of Aberdares and are generally suitable for both coffee and dairy farming. The flatter area of Makuyu division of Maragwa constituency is characterized by arid and semi-arid conditions. This forms the agro ecological zones 4, 5, and 6. In these zones coffee and pineapple plantations thrive by irrigation.
Climatic Conditions
The County is divided into three climatic regions: The western region with an equatorial type of climate, the central region with a sub-tropical climate and the eastern part with semi-arid conditions.
The long rains fall in the months of March, April and May. The highest amount of rainfall is recorded in the month of April, and reliability of rainfall during this month is very high. The short rains are received during the months of October and November. The western region, Kangema, Gatanga, and higher parts of Kigumo and Kandara, is generally wet and humid due to the influence of the Aberdares and Mt. Kenya. The eastern region, lower parts of Kigumo, Kandara, Kiharu and Maragwa constituencies receive less rain and crop production requires irrigation.
Education in Muranga County
Education is the key to human growth and development through the core functions of teaching and learning done in the county institutions. This makes the society more enlightened and therefore contributes to the overall development of human resources in the county.
This is one of the major sectors in the county since the growth and development experienced in other sectors relies on well educated people.
Pre-school Education
The county has 1080 ECD centres with total enrolment of 31,944 pupils and 1,127 teachers. The teacher/pupil ratio is 1:28.
Primary Education
The county has 634 primary schools, 6,324 teachers, total enrolment of 214,986 and a transition rate of 70 per cent. The teacher/pupil ratio is 1:34. In this category there is a shortage of teachers which the county government will have to deal with in order to ensure that we attain the required ratio of 1:20. There is need to improve the transition rates in the county.
Literacy (Population Aged 15 Years and Above)
The county’s literacy level stands at 70.1 per cent, where literacy level for male is 73.9 per cent and female is 66.7 per cent. This implies most of the county population can make informed decisions on matters affecting their socio-economic livelihoods.
Secondary Education
The county has 292 secondary schools, 3,206 teachers and a total enrolment of 84,874 students. This represents a gross enrolment of 71.04 per cent. In this category, the government has tried to attain a teacher /student ratio of 1:26. There is need to put more effort in ensuring that gross enrolment is raised to 90 per cent.
Tertiary Education
The county has one science and technology institute (Michuki Technical Traning Institute), forty eight youth polytechnics, three accredited colleges and four non accredited colleges. All these are middle level institutions where the youth who don’t get opportunities to join the universities go and get skills suitable for the labour market.
Tourism in Muranga County
Main Tourist Attractions, National Parks/Reserves
The main tourist attraction sites in the county are the Aberdares National Park and cultural heritage sites that have a rich history on the origins of the Agikuyu people. Such sites are at Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga and Karia Ka Mbari ya Ngware. Moreover, there are also ideal natural sites for hiking and camping at Rapid Camp, Aberdare cottages and sport and leisure fishing sites at Kimakia fishing grounds and Ndakaini Dam.
Aberdare National Park
Category: Tourist Attractions
Encircled by the wild and beautiful moorlands of the third highest mountain range in Kenya, Aberdare National Park offers a mist-wreathed realm where elephants roam through lichen-hung forests, spectacular waterfalls plunge into churning pools, and trout-filled streams cascade through mossy dells.
For more information visit: Aberdare National Park
Wildlife
The main wildlife in the county are elephants which are the major source of human-wildlife conflicts especially in Mathioya and Kigumo constituencies. This is due to the constituencies’ proximity to the Aberdare forest which forms the wildlife habitat. Other wildlife in the county is Columbus monkeys and their related species.
Tourist Class Hotels/Restaurants
Due to the untapped tourism potential in the county, there are no tourist class hotels or restaurants. This is because the available tourism packages are often irregular and the tourists usually visit the county during the day and then go to reside in hotels outside the county. However, there are a number of other unclassified hotels and restaurants in the county (e.g. Hotel Nokras, Fortune Green and Golden Palm hotel).
Financial Institutions in Muranga County
Some of the commercial banks in various towns in Muranga include:
- Cooperative Bank
- Equity Bank
- Barclays Bank
- Kenya Commercial Bank
- Standard Chartered
- National Bank
- Family Bank
There are also other financial institutions which cater for small business people and farmers. Some of these include farmer’s cooperative union include:
- Mugama Farmers Sacco
- Murata Sacco
- Unaitas
Major Towns in Muranga County
Murang’a Town – Murang’a town is the headquarters of the county due to its central location. The town is an administrative and socio-economic center.
Kenol Town – The town’s strategic location makes it a transit town along the Nyeri – Nairobi highway.
Kiria-ini Town – Kiria-ini town is located on the Murang’a-Kangema-Othaya road. The town is a commercial an administration, local businesses and agriculture center. Kiria-ini Mission Hospital which is run by the Catholic church is located in the town.
Hospitals in Murang’a County
There are about 271 health facilities in Murang’a County. 112 centers are run by government, 125 are privately owned and 31 run by faith based organizations.
Among the government-run is Murang’a District Hospital, Maragua District Hospital, Kangema and Muriranjas Sub-District Hospitals. Church-managed healthcare facilities include Kiria-ini Mission and Githumu Hospital. Private hospitals include the Kangari Dental Clinic and Marie Stopes Nursing Home.
Economy, Business and Investment Opportunities in Murang’a County
Muranga County is a predominantly an agricultural County. ( Tea, coffee, maize, beef and dairy products) It also host tourist attractions such as the expansive Aberdare’s forest one of Kenya’s water towers and home to varied fauna and flora.
The county is a hub of trade and commerce in the region partly due to its proximity to Nairobi and its high population.
Economic Activities in Murang’a County
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of Murang’a County. The residents are engaged in small scale farming and livestock keeping. The small scale farmers grow cash crops such as tea and coffee.
There are six tea factories that serve most of the farmers. These include: Githambo, Gatunguru, Kanyenya-ini and Kiru. There are also coffee factories in the area. They include: Kanyenyaini, Mihuti and Gathima, and Kiharu coffee factories among others.
Macadamia farming is also practiced in the county. The main Macadamia farms include Farmnut Macadamia in Maragua and Murang’a town.
Dairy farming is popular in the county with milk processing plants spread across various towns. You will find Kenya Cooperative Creameries and Mountain Fresh milk plants in Kangema.
Stone quarries in the county are the main source of building materials especially building stones and bricks. Sand harvesting also acts as a source of income for locals on the border of Murang’a and Machakos counties.
Facts About Muranga County
Area (Km 2): 1,798
Climate: Two seasons of rain; temperatures 21 – 35 degrees C
Road network:
Tarmac – 159 Km
Gravel/Murram – 210 Km
Earth Surface – 509 Km
Key National Monuments: Forthall Monument, Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga (Considereed the origin of the Kikuyu community)
Muranga County Population
Population: 942,581
Male – 49%
Female – 51%
Density: 524 people per km2
National Percentage: 2.44%
Age distribution:
0-14 Years – 30%
15-64 Years – 59%
over 65 years – 11%
Muranga County Government
County capital: Murang’a Town
Number of Constituencies (2010): 7 (Kandara, Kigumo, Maragua, Kangema, Kiharu, Mathioya, Gatanga)
Registered Voters: 427,458
National percentage of Registered Voters: 3%
Number of Districts (2009): 2 Muranga North and Muranga South (Maragwa)
Number of Local Authorities (2010): 5 (Town Councils of Kangema, Maragwa, Kandara, and Makuyu, County Councils of Muranga and Maragwa and Municipal Council of Murang’a)
Law Courts: 2 Law courts in Murang’a South and 2 Law courts in Maragwa
Economy of Muranga County
Resources: Natural (stone quarry and Aberdare Forest)
Financial services: Banks and Micro Finance Institutions, Decentralised Funds e.g. CDF through Constituencies & LATF
Poverty Level: 29% of population live below the poverty line
Main Economic Activities/industries: 80% of population relies on agriculture, informal sector, tourism and manufacturing
Main Agricultural products: Coffee, tea, milk, fish, honey, maize and beans
Education in Muranga County
Primary schools 500
Total enrollment 196,650
Enrolment rates:
Boys 85%
Girls 80%
Secondaries 106
Total enrolment 47,691
Enrolment rates:
Boys 38%
Girls 38%
Tertiary Institutions 12
Include Murang’a Institute of Technology, Murang’a Teachers College
Health in Muranga County
Hospitals: 3 District Hospitals and 2 Sub District Hospitals
Number of Doctors: 34
Doctors to Population Ratio: 1:30,000
Muranga County Jobs
Muranga County Jobs opportunities for all qualified personnel and those who would wish to work with Muranga County government. Jobs in Muranga County are posted on the county website.
Jobs in Muranga County are awarded in a free, fair and transparency manner in the need to fight corruption in the country.
To access these Muranga county jobs advertisement click the link: Muranga County Jobs for the latest job opportunities in the county.
Muranga County Tenders
Muranga county tenders are awarded in a free, fair and transparency manner in the need to fight corruption in the country.
To access tenders in Muranga county click the link: http://muranga.go.ke/ for the latest job opportunities in the county.
Muranga County Governor and Deputy Governor
The current governor of Muranga County is Hon. Mwangi Wa Iria and the deputy governor is Hon. Gakure Monyo.
Constituencies in Muranga County
- Kangema Constituency
- Mathioya Constituency
- Kiharu Constituency
- Kigumo Constituency
- Maragwa Constituency
- Kandara Constituency
- Gatanga Constituency
Muranga County Wards
Details about Muranga County Wards will be updated soon…
Muranga County Contacts
Murang’a County Government
Postal Address: P.O.Box 52-10200
Town: Murang’a
Email: info@muranga.go.ke
Muranga County Website
Website: http://muranga.go.ke/
Muranga County Map
