County Continues Working on Markets
By Njeri Karu
The County Government of Kiambu Department of Trade, Industrialization, Tourism and Investments handed over construction sites at Gakoe and Mataara markets in Gatundu North Sub-County, Kamangu market in Kikuyu Sub-County, and Karuri Market in Kiambaa Sub-County on 26th March 2025.
This signaled the commencement of construction of critical infrastructure for business and entrepreneurship, and also the creation of thousands of employment opportunities. The new markets and infrastructure would align with the department’s vision and the Governor’s manifesto to enhance trading conditions and support local businesses.
Mataara Market
The state-of-the-art modern markets would individually accommodate over 300 traders and offer a range of amenities that include stalls, nursing rooms, ICT hubs, and cold storage rooms, among others.
“We look forward to seeing this projects come to life and the impact they will have on our local economy. These traders have for years been affected by weather elements while carrying out their businesses but that will soon be a thing of the past.”
“We will provide a temporary location where they will operate their businesses while awaiting the completion of the new markets,” said CECM Trade Susan Gatwiri during the site handover at Gakoe market.
In addition, the department conducted site visits at Ruaka market in Kiambaa Sub-County, Kimende market in Lari Sub-County, Rironi market in Lari Sub-County, Juja farm market in Juja Sub-County, Githiga, Karia and Kigumo markets in Githunguri Sub-County, Kiandutu market in Thika Sub-County, Kiganjo and Gitwe markets in Gatundu South Sub-County with the aim of informing contractors on the scope of the projects and enabling them to take note of salient features that will inform their bidding.
Kiambu Bursary Kitty Grows to Half a Billion, Benefitting Thousands of Vulnerable Households
By Ann Karanja
For years, vulnerable children in Kiambu County have had to overcome insurmountable challenges in the quest for an education.
However, their plight has significantly changed since the reins of power, in the populous county, were taken over by Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration.
Under the new leadership, the kitty for education bursaries targeting the vulnerable has been increased from KES. 100 million to KES. 500 million.
This development has seen the number of beneficiaries grow in multiples across the 60 wards of Kiambu County, and the amount increased to at least KES. 5,000 for every beneficiary.
In addition, the bursaries are domiciled in the Directorate of Social Services which empowers persons with disabilities (PWDs) giving them priority in the allocation process.
The vision of Governor Wamatangi’s administration is to see that no child is left behind because of financial constraints, which aligns with the United Nations (UN) mandate, and also as contained in his 2022 Campaign Manifesto.
Governor Wamatangi, who grew in a humble background, appreciates that education is the ultimate equalizer, and believes all children must be given a fair chance to get an education.
BURSARY ISSUANCE IN KIAMBU COUNTY
Past mid-March 2025, the bursary exercise had covered 52 wards and benefitted more than 14,000 students from different backgrounds.
“My administration is giving bursary cheques of the least amount, KES. 5,000 for every beneficiary, and are distributed five times in a year. We also have a system for bursary issuance that ensures fairness and equality for all,” said Governor Wamatangi.
In the past, parents queued for hours, struggling to get bursary cheques, which were most times elusive, and those who managed received negligible amounts.
In addition to the general bursaries, the Governor Wamatangi administration provides special full scholarships to students in the most vulnerable conditions. These students, often orphans or from extremely dire conditions receive comprehensive financial support to ensure their educational journey is uninterrupted.
This bursary issuance underscores the Governor’s commitment to building an inclusive and equitable society where education is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
“Education is the key to unlocking a brighter future for our county and our nation. Our responsibility is to ensure that every child, no matter their background, has the opportunity to realize their full potential. These bursaries are a step towards making that vision a reality,” said Governor Wamatangi during a bursary issuance exercise.
Chief Officer Vocational Training, Gender & Social Services, Ms Emily Nkoroi has continuously expressed her commitment to ensuring that social status does not hinder students from chasing after their dreams.
Parents and students have expressed their gratitude for the timely support noting that it is a true reflection of leadership that listens and acts in the best interest of her people.
BURSARY ISSUANCE IN KIAMBU COUNTY
With the bursary exercise continuing to roll out in the remaining eight (8) wards, it is expected that even more students will benefit, securing educational opportunities for thousands.
DIALYSIS MACHINES: Governor Wamatangi Administration Multiplies Opportunities for Cleaning Your Blood
BY KELVIN KIMARU
In yet another breakthrough for healthcare in Kiambu County, Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration has expanded dialysis services at Thika Level V Hospital by procuring five new dialysis machines.
This acquisition highlights the Governor’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that patients battling kidney disease receive timely and quality treatment.
For years, the facility has served as a referral center for dialysis patients, often struggling with limited equipment. The new machines are expected to ease congestion, reduce wait times, and accommodate more patients from Kiambu and neighboring counties.
Speaking to our team, a beneficiary undergoing dialysis expressed relief at the improvements.
“Before, we had to wait long hours, and sometimes even miss sessions due to the high number of patients. But now, things are much better. The new machines have helped us,” she said.
According to Nephrology Nurse Joyce Mwangi the upgrade has significantly improved efficiency in service delivery.
“With the new machines, we have reduced patient wait times and can now handle more cases daily. This is a big step towards improving renal care in the county,” she stated.
Despite this progress, the demand for dialysis services remains high, with patients traveling from neighboring counties; Nairobi, Muranga, Machakos, and Kirinyaga to seek treatment at the facility.
Governor Wamatangi’s administration has prioritized healthcare as a key pillar of development, and this latest investment in dialysis services is yet another demonstration of his dedication to improving the lives of Kiambu residents.
Transforming Kikuyu through #AngazaKiambu Solar Streetlighting
By Marion Kanari
Senior Public Communications Officer
As the world embraces renewable energy to save the planet from the effects of climate change, Kiambu County is not left behind.
One of the county’s key flagship projects is the adoption of solar energy, a significant shift in operations geared towards sustainability on all fronts.
The Department of Public Works and Utilities has rolled out phase one of the ambitious #AngazaKiambu program, which involves installing over 60 solar streetlights per ward in the 12 Sub Counties totaling 4,000.
Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration
On this second week of February 2025, Governor Kimani Wamatangi led the launching of solar streetlights in the five wards of Kikuyu Municipality, where he noted that phase two and three of the program would be launched in March and May 2025 respectively.
The Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration will have installed 10,000 solar streetlights in the three phases of the Angaza Kiambu Program.
“We have phased out the installation of the solar streetlights to strategically light up as many areas as possible,” said Governor Wamatangi.
While reiterating Governor Wamatangi’s sentiments, local MCAs hailed the program citing improved security and ease of doing business for the residents.
Chief Officer Public Works & Utilities Virginia Kahonge noted that installation works had been completed in seven (7) municipalities, and phase one would be completed by mid-March 2025.
Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration
The lights installed along critical areas as guided by area residents are distributed as follows in Kikuyu Municipality:
Karai Ward;-
- Rio Nderi Kagiria Rd
- Muhuri road
- Thiru Njiwa Rd
Nachu Ward;-
- Shell Petrol Station – Nachu Primary School Rd
- Kianjage Rd
- Kiagatta Past Lusigetti hospital
- Lenguti High School Kanyayo
- Jambu TV area
Sigona Ward
- Gikira access Rd
- Gachuti Rd
- Wega Banda Homes
- Gitau Thamanda Rd
Kinoo Ward
- Kangoro Rd
- Kinoo PCEA area
- Kariango area
Kikuyu Ward
- Kidfarmaco highland
- Link Rd
- Thogoto Ndaire Rd
- Kianda Kia Reli
- St Teresa
The Solar streetlights, which are county-specific and custom-made have improved lighting and enhanced safety, require minimal and less frequent maintenance in comparison to the grid-connected lights, have a reduced carbon footprint, and use solar energy.
The public funds saved from the paying high power bills would be channeled to development projects, and other critical areas of the County to spur economic development.
County Assembly Majority Leader MCA Godfrey Muceke lauded the #AngazaKiambu initiative as one of a kind saying the administration had outdone previous governments in the implementation of impactful projects.
The County’s shift to clean energy was necessitated by unsustainable power and maintenance bills for the existing 20,428 grid-connected lights, boreholes, hospitals, county premises, and other operations.
The County has an annual estimated power bill of over KES. 1.4B which stems from its 120 hospitals, 19,000 Streetlights, County offices and fire stations.
Under the directive by Governor Wamatangi, community boreholes are also being solarized, and BQs for new county buildings now require solar lighting.
Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration
Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration
Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration
New Medical Equipment Will Save Thousands of Lives
The County Government of Kiambu started the year 2025 on a high crescendo in health by launching new medical equipment.
During an event held at the Kiambu HQ on 10th January 2025, Governor Kimani Wamatangi launched the equipment, which included endoscopy, digital x-ray, and dialysis machines.
State-of-the-art medical equipment, Kiambu County
The machines would devolve quality health and better patient care to the grassroots, transforming health in villages of Kiambu where some hospitals have never been installed with such state-of-the-art machines.
Some hospitals that would benefit include Kiambu Level V, Gatundu Level V, Thika Level V, Lari Level IV, and Lussigette Level IV hospitals.
For the first time, Kiambu Level V Hospital would have an endoscopy machine enabling doctors to perform non-intrusive medical procedures using cameras for the overall safety and well-being of thousands of patients, and also reduce the need to travel abroad for such specialized services.
The launch was also attended by Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika, Members of the County Assembly led by Deputy Speaker John Njiru, CECM Health Dr. Elias Maina, county officials, municipal managers, members of the public, health care workers, and partners from the medical field.
“The dialysis machines and the rest of the machines are the best gifts you can give the people of Kiambu in this New Year,” said Dr. Maina.
MCA Njiru urged the people to desist from playing politics with matters of health as he appreciated the equipping of hospitals with the equipment.
In his speech, Governor Wamatangi assured of rapid action to continue improving health in the county including installation of a CT-Scan machine at the Kiambu Level V Hospital.
Governor Wamatangi launches the digital xray machines at Kiambu HQ
“We have plans to install a CT-Scan machine here at the Kiambu hospital in a few months, and also replace the CT-Scan machine in Thika because of the condition of the machine, old and depleted,” said Governor Wamatangi.
In addition, the Governor enumerated the growth in the number of hospitals through the establishment of new facilities, rehabilitation of the existing ones, and reviving the stalled hospitals.
Other successes included payment of the one billion KEMSA bill that the county owed before the new administration came into office, operationalization of ambulances, and ensuring at least 85% stock of pharmaceuticals and medicines in health facilities.
In the first phase, equipment worth KES. 500 million were delivered to county hospitals including x-ray machines, dental equipment, ultrasound machines, and other assorted equipment.
