How Murang'a's ‘Smart Towns’ turned around rural economy 

So far, more than 35 projects have been completed across the county. 

On Friday, Murangá won the County and Towns Excellence Awards 2025 in an event organized by the Town and County Planners Association of Kenya in Nairobi.

Murang’a’s Smart City Programme was recently recognized at the Smart Cities Forum as a practical model for other counties aiming to make trading centres cleaner, safer, and more digitally enabled. 

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“We are happy because tarmacked roads and cabros have made a huge difference in the way we do business. The Smart City Programme has made our town cleaner and better. Business is growing, and investor are flocking,” said James Mwangi, a resident.

Mwangi is one of many residents whose lives have undergone a transformation since the programme was launched in May 2023. 

For years, most rural centres were muddy and dark, forcing shops to close by 7pm, leaving the towns deserted. 

Poor lighting made people head home early for safety, with only bars and restaurants daring to operate.

Today, the picture is different.

“I used to leave my car in town because the road to my home was impassable when it rained but today I drive right to my gate,” recalls Lawrence Mwangi, a taxi driver in Murang’a town.

Garbage, once a nightmare for traders, has also been addressed. Peter Kariuki, who runs PK Marts, recalls how uncollected waste piled up around his shop. 

Improve urban infrastructure

“The garbage had become an eyesore with customers avoiding my business. It also put our health at risk because at times the bin near my business would take weeks before being emptied. During the rains, it was worse,” he said.

For boda boda operators, the changes are life-saving. 

“Before, it was dangerous to carry passengers when it rained — we used to skid in the mud and cause accidents,” recalls Peter Macharia.

So far, the Smart City Programme has been rolled out in Maragua, Gatura, Kabati, Kangari, Murang’a Town, Kangema, Kiriaini, Kahatia, Kaguku, Gacharage, Kiruri, Kanyenyaini, Zebka, Kenol, Kamune, and Gitugi.

“These Smart City projects feature extensive cabro works that open up the towns and ease access to all businesses while creating a favorable environment during the rainy seasons,” says Governor Irungu Kang’ata.

Mr Kang’ata said his administration started the programme after realizing poor infrastructure was stifling local businesses.

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“It was wrong that in our centres, women couldn’t even display their wares by the roadside because of mud. Our aim is to improve urban infrastructure to make business easier and boost the economy,” the governor said.

“Our Smart City programme is about more than modern infrastructure — it’s about dignity, opportunity, and innovation for every trader and resident,” he said.

He said his administration would keep expanding the programme to cover as many areas as possible so that the local economy can thrive.

According to Township Ward MCA Charles Machigo, the transformation has been achieved due to devolution that has ensured development goes to the grassroots.

“The Smart City projects have uplifted the quality of life for residents. Now that these towns have been upgraded, I urge residents to take advantage of the clean environment and expand their businesses and make Murang’a a 24-hour business economy,” he said.