Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi delivered his State of County Address, asserting that a strategic focus on accountability and discipline has driven significant fiscal growth and allowed for sweeping reforms in critical sectors like health and education.
Speaking before the County Assembly and citizens of Kiambu, the Governor reported that the county’s Own Source Revenue had increased from Kenya Shillings 2.9 billion to Kenya Shillings 5.45 billion in the last financial year, achieved without increasing taxes.
This financial stability, he argued, marked a clear divergence from the “missed opportunities, slow growth” that characterized Kiambu’s first decade of devolution. The address provided extensive details on development milestones across health, education, infrastructure, and economic empowerment, framing the administration’s tenure as a successful shift from “the politics of empty rhetoric” to decisive service delivery.
The dramatic increase in revenue was attributed to the successful implementation of integrated technological systems, including the Enterprise Resource Planning and the Health Management Information System. The Governor noted that these systems had consolidated processes, streamlined operations, and sealed loopholes, ensuring “a centralized, secure, and transparent system for our public servants”. The emphasis on disciplined leadership was bolstered by recent public and international recognition.
The Governor highlighted that he had recently been named “best governor in Kenya” and received an award as “Africa’s best governor” in Paris, France. Furthermore, the United Nations conferred upon him the Youth Laureate award. The Governor also stressed the critical role of the legislative arm, thanking the County Assembly for its cooperation, which led to the successful passing of 25 bills and the smooth running of county affairs.
The administration detailed a “revolution” in Early Childhood Development, citing the completion of 312 modern ECD learning centers, with construction commencing on an additional 178. This investment was paired with a comprehensive feeding program providing fortified porridge, eggs, and milk to nearly 50,000 ECD learners. Consequently, basic school enrollment in Kiambu surged from 32,000 to almost 50,000 learners.
To support higher education, the bursary allocation was significantly increased from KES 100 million to KES 750 million, aiming to help young people “break the chains of poverty without financial strain”. Within vocational training centers, efforts were directed at renovation and installation of modern equipment, including cabro making machines, which are being used to produce blocks for upgrading urban pathways.
In the health sector, the Governor highlighted the construction of six new Level Four hospitals and 28 new Level Three facilities. A major achievement receiving international recognition was zero maternal deaths recorded at the Kiambu Level Four hospital between January and July 2025.
This success was partially credited to the county’s 19 fully equipped ambulances, which function as mobile ICUs. Looking forward, the Governor announced a specialized master plan to transform hospitals into specialized units, ensuring that “the journeys that our people make to India no longer journeys to India but journeys to Gatundu”. Specific specializations include turning Kikuyu into an orthopedic center and Bibirioni into a cancer center.
Road infrastructure was identified as the key area yet to reach its “desired destination,” which the Governor linked directly to the “unfair denial of funds from the road maintenance levy fund” by the national government, costing the county nearly a billion shillings over three years. To overcome this, the county is launching the Boresha Barabara program, intending to rehabilitate a minimum of 1,500 km of road through grading and cabro installation, utilizing dedicated road units across all 12 municipalities.
Addressing the rapid urbanization pressure, the county passed the Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plans to balance food security with housing development, acknowledging that agriculture remains the “cornerstone of Kiambu”. The administration proposed reducing land rates from 0.25% to 0.15% to ease the burden on owners and encourage compliance.
The quest to elevate Thika municipality to an industrial smart city status is currently before the Senate. In line with environmental commitments and economic strategy, the administration launched the Angaza Kiambu initiative to install 12,000 solar street lights. This move is projected to reduce the county’s annual electricity expenditure, which currently exceeds KES 700 million.
Agriculture was presented as a significant driver of income, particularly through cooperatives. The Governor cited the success of the Komothai Growers Cooperative Society, which received a commercial milling license and, through direct marketing, raised the price paid to coffee farmers from KES 20 to KES 89 per kilogram. Empowerment programs included distributing improved Kenya chicks to over 100,000 women and piglets to youth and men.
Furthermore, the construction of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park at Waruhiu Farm in Githunguri is 90% complete. This facility is expected to serve as a “gamechanger” for farmers by offering a central location for processing, packaging, and direct linking of produce to local and international markets, creating jobs and value-added products.
For youth, the Governor announced plans for a targeted fund with a Kenya Shillings 1 billion base for programs across the county. He also highlighted the success of the firefighting training school, noting that its highly trained graduates are securing jobs abroad in nations like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, confirming the training is of “global standards”.
The State of County Address is a crucial constitutional mechanism for the Governor to report on the performance of the executive arm. The intended audience included the County Assembly members and the citizens of Kiambu, aiming to legitimize the administration’s focus on governance and stability. The political implication of the speech is clear: the Governor intends to minimize political conflict, pledging to “keep aside politics until the year 2027 and focus fully on development”.
In his closing remarks, the Governor emphasized the power of collective effort and cooperation, stating, “cooperation is better than conflict”. He concluded by quoting Barack Obama, urging the county to recognize that “We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek,” signaling a firm commitment to “finish strong” and ensure Kiambu’s progress is “undeniable”.
