The Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat report, titled “Ranking of Counties on Citizen Service Delivery and Employment Creation,” released on February 24, 2026, confirmed what many residents already felt: Murang’a is working.
By prioritizing paperless systems and direct-to-citizen digital subsidies, the county has not only improved lives but has also seen its internal revenue jump from less than Sh500 million to over Sh1.3 billion—all without raising a single tax or levy.
1. The Leaderboard: Who Made the Top 5?
Murang’a led a elite group of only seven counties that scored above 80% in the national assessment.
2. The Automation Engine: From Hospitals to Farms
The “Murang’a Model” is built on removing human friction from government processes. According to Professor Kiarie Mwaura, the County Finance CEC, automation has been the silver bullet for corruption and inefficiency.
The “Inua Mkulima” Plan: A standout initiative where agricultural subsidies are distributed quarterly through a digital platform directly to farmers’ mobile phones, cutting out middlemen.
Paperless Healthcare: Public hospitals in Murang’a have moved to a 100% digital system, ensuring patient records are instant and revenue leakage at the pharmacy or lab is zero.
Bursaries & Permits: Students and business owners now apply for and receive bursaries or permits online, reducing “waiting room” time from days to minutes.
3. Job Creation: Beyond the Payroll
Vision 2030 CEO Kenneth Mwige noted that the assessment didn’t just look at who the county hired, but how the county stimulated the economy.
Infrastructure Jobs: The upgrading of urban roads and the opening of backstreets in Kenol and Kangari have stimulated thousands of casual and permanent jobs in the trade and logistics sectors.
Youth Entrepreneurship: By making it easier to start a business online, Murang’a has seen a surge in youth-led SMEs, specifically in the tech and service industries.
4. The “Digital Divide” Warning
While Murang’a celebrated, the report highlighted a worrying gap. Counties like Wajir (28%) and Garissa (30%) trailed at the bottom. The Secretariat identified limited internet access, weak legal frameworks, and high recurrent expenditure (spending too much on salaries rather than development) as the primary killers of efficiency in rural Kenya.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for 2027
Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s strategy has proven that high approval ratings (he currently sits at 68% in approval polls) are directly linked to visible, tech-driven efficiency. As we head toward the next election cycle, the “Murang’a Miracle” is likely to be the blueprint for every governor who wants to prove that devolution is finally delivering on its promise.
