Murang’a County has rehabilitated more than 30 local towns and shopping centres in a period of two years with the aim of enhancing economic transformation.
Under the programme dubbed Smart City, the county has rolled out a wide range of projects, including tarmacking and installation of cabros, paving of key access roads, construction of modern drainage systems, installation of solar-powered streetlights, and beautification of market centres.
Speaking when he launched the Gakurwe smart city project on Monday, Governor Irungu Kang’ta noted the programme has led to increased trading activities in the towns which have already been upgraded.
He said sanitation has been improved, and the roads within the towns have been tarmacked, with others being upgraded with the installation of cabros.
“This programme has changed the status of our local shopping centres. Upgraded roads and streets within the towns have made access to the interior parts of the shopping centres easy, thus boosting trading activities,” noted the governor.
“Drainage systems and street lights have also been installed or repaired to enhance safety, improve business operations, and uplift the overall trading environment,” he added.
Kang’ata assured that implementation of the Smart City programme would continue to ensure all remaining market centres get facelifts to ensure equitable development and improved infrastructure for all residents.
A trader at Gakurwe market of Kiharu constituency, Beth Wanjiku, expressed gratitude for the implementation of the project, observing that the muddy roads have been a big challenge to traders and buyers, especially during the rainy season.
With improved drainage systems and lighting, the trader said they would be able to conduct their businesses in a clean environment and extend the time of operations.
Julius Mutonyi, a businessman, echoed similar sentiments, saying that supplies of goods and services within the town would now be much easier since their premises would be easy to access.
Martha Warukira, a resident, pleaded with Murang’a County leadership to extend the cabros towards the pathway leading to Gaturi dispensary.
Last month, the governor received the County and Towns Excellence Award 2025 in recognition of his administration’s Smart City Programme as a visionary initiative that is reshaping infrastructure and governance across the county.
The award was presented during the Smart Cities Forum 2025, jointly organised by the Town and County Planners Association of Kenya and the Nation Media Group.
By Bernard Munyao
