THE JOURNEY TO KSHS 8B OWN SOURCE REVENUE (OSR)
BY MARION KANARI
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has set an ambitious Kshs 8B own source revenue collection target for the County Government of Kiambu for the 2025/26 Financial Year, which follows achievement of Kshs5.45B revenue collected in the just concluded 2024/25 Financial Year.
During a County Revenue Stakeholders Conference, the Governor noted that Kshs 5.45B was achieved through automation of revenue collection through the Enterprise Resource Planning system, an initiative of the directorate of ICT.
For the first time, Kshs 5.45B raised as OSR in KIambu under the leadership of Governor Kimani Wamatangi
“Two years into this administration, we have unveiled a revenue collection of Kshs 5.45B, that is an 86% increment without increasing levies, fees or taxes,” said Governor Wamatangi.
Through the system, traders can pay for the now Unified Business Permits, market fees, cess, quarry, parking, County tourism sites entry and slaughter houses fees via the *476# USSD conveniently through their phones.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance, ICT and Economic Planning Nancy Kirumba reiterated that automation of the revenue collection system improved revenue and performance, which in turn delivered impactful development projects.
CECM Kirumba further committed that the Department of Finance would provide technical and operational support required by municipalities and other County departments to achieve the Kshs 8B target in the coming financial year.
KIambu County CECM Finance Nancy Kirumba
According to CECM Kirumba the target is a foundation for service delivery, development and fiscal sustainability of the County, which requires deliberate and coordinated efforts.
In the 2024/2025 Financial Year, Governor Wamatangi’s administration in efforts to make Kiambu Great again, redirected revenue in the Department of Education to building and furnishing 309 Early Childhood Development Education Centers (ECDEs) that include PP1 and PP2 classes, kitchenette, ablution block and play area, a feeding program for 50,000 ECDE kids and training of ECDE teachers to diploma levels.
“Besides collecting revenue, we are putting the money to areas of importance in service to the people,” said Governor Wamatangi.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi during the Revenue Workshop at County HQ
The County Department of Health has completed six (6) new 180 bed capacity level IV hospitals, 26 level III hospitals and up scaled 28 former dispensaries to level III hospitals across the 12 municipalities.
The Health Department has also capped supply of drugs at County pharmacies to a minimum of 85%, equipped level II and III hospitals with computers, installed a Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) under the ERP for easier and convenient hospital operations including revenue collection, patient registry, biometrics, appointments and consultations, hospitals procurement, accounts, records and insurance reports among others.
Coincidentally, the Department of Health had the highest revenue collection in the 2024/25FY of Kshs 1.8B, with Thika Level V Hospital leading with Kshs 242M, Kiambu level V at Kshs 192M and Level II and III hospitals at Kshs 85.4M.
The Department of Lands, Physical Planning and Municipal Administration collected 1.7B, with Ruiru Municipality recording the highest improvement of 74% at Kshs Kshs 602M with Thika Municipality leading with a collection of Kshs 622M, and Juja recording Kshs 544M.
The Department of Trade, Industrialization, Tourism and Investments was the most improved in revenue collection following the automation of fees and levies and introduction of the Unified Business Permit, which has consolidated single business permits, public health, solid waste & fire making it easier for traders to pay for licenses.
While setting the Kshs 8B Own Source Revenue target for the County, Governor Wamatangi further noted that service delivery to the people has also extended working hours to almost 24/7 after the successful implementation of phase one of the Angaza Kiambu program which has seen the installation of 4,000 solar streetlights in all the 60 wards.
Meanwhile, a new batch of 4,000 solar lights installation – phase 2 – is underway and the Department of Utilities and Public Works has planned and budgeted this project. The County also has plans to solarize county boreholes, ECDEs and County premises. The County was paying an annual power bill of Kshs 700 million, and adoption of green energy has gone a long way in lowering this cost.
County Revenue Authority Chair Mburu Kangethe informed the revenue stakeholders that achieving the OSR target was evidence of a system that worked, a team that delivered and a county that was steadily maturing in fiscal discipline and accountability.
Mburu Kangethe, Chair Revenue Authority
Kiambu County Assembly Speaker Charles Thiong’o while asserting the assembly legislative support challenged the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) to include Own Source Revenue as a determining factor in County revenue allocations.
Speaker Wakili Thiongo introduces MCAs during the revenue workshop at the County HQ
Although the County has achieved a first in Own Source Revenue since the advent of devolution, and is also in the journey towards collecting Kshs 8B, CRA caps Kiambu County Revenue Potential at 13.95B.
During the KIambu Revenue Workshop where Kshs 5.45B was collected in the FY 2024/25
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.
Thousands of Solar Lights Brighten Life in Kiambu County
BY ANNEGRACE NJOKI
Kiambu governor Kimani Wamatangi has operationalised the solarization streetlighting in efforts to cut the huge power bills that have jeopardised the county’s development.
The County spends over a billion shillings on power bills annually, and the adoption of renewable energy is a strategic move, which will offer a massive relief to the county funds.
The move has also brightened the life of the residents who boast of enhanced security, increased business hours, and because of the deliberate attempt to cut the funding towards lighting.
The KES 400 million solar project, actualized in three phases, will include the solarization of the street lights across the county, and/or transitioning county-run hospitals from the national grid to solar, and also county offices.
“The residents of Kiambu have reported enhanced security, and extended business hours because of the solar lights. The non-reliance on the grid also rids the wards from constant blackouts, says Governor Wamatangi.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi Solar streetlighting in Kiambu Municipality
The street lighting program dubbed Angaza Kiambu will save county funds through a low maintenance cost, and their dependency on the naturally available sun and light. The solar lights are also more durable.
“The solar project aligns with the SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy,” said Governor Wamatangi. He was optimistic that Kiambu County could be the first in the region to go green, which was a measurable action towards climate change mitigation.
Solar streetlighting Kiambu Municipality
County Climate Change Director Ms. Esther Kaguima noted that the project was strategic in efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the globe.
The first phase included the installation and launch in Limuru, Githunguri, Juja, Ruiru, and Kiambu sub-counties. The residents lauded the county’s efforts to improve the business environment and also enhance security.
Peter Wakaba from Juja, Malaba area, said that the solar lights would help keep at bay wild animals, like the hyenas, which roamed the wards especially when darkness fell.
“It has been unsafe walking and working in the dark, particularly with the hyenas roaming around. This solar initiative is enhancing security and we can now extend our business hours,” he added.
Utilities Chief Officer Ms. Virginia Kahonge added that the project would enhance efficiency as the constant disruptions on the national grid due to owed bills would reduce. “While we are gradually moving towards solar energy, the power cuts due to unsustainable power bills will be a thing of the past,” she noted.
