Kagio town, one of the busiest in Kirinyaga county, and which residents want upgraded to a municipality
Wachira Njogu, a resident of Kagio town gives his opinion during a public participation forum on October 21, 2025Residents of Sagana, Kagio and Wang’uru towns in Kirinyaga have supported a proposal by the county government to create two new municipalities.
The move seeks to strengthen urban planning, enhance infrastructure and open up access to funding from the national government and development partners.
Under the proposal, Sagana and Kagio will be merged into one municipality, while Wang’uru will stand independently.
The plan is driven by rapid population growth, increased business activity and the need for better urban management to support expanding economies in the three towns.
During the public participation forums held across the towns, Lands, housing and urban development CEC Samuel Kajobe said residents’ views were key to any major development decisions as required by the constitution.
“We began this process to assess the feasibility of creating two new municipalities because the three towns have been growing too rapidly,” he said.
The towns, he said, have been experiencing expanding populations and strong economic activity driven by trade and industrial development.
Sagana’s population is projected to reach 175,000, driven by the construction of an industrial park, while Wang’uru’s catchment area extends to Murang’a, Nyeri and Embu, bringing its expected population to over 100,000.
Kagio town’s growth, on the other hand, is being steered by a fresh produce market, one of the largest in the region, which sees buyers travel from all parts of the Central region.
The market recently underwent a Sh357 million expansion and modernisation, aimed at easing congestion and providing a conducive environment for over 3,000 traders.
Kajobe noted that the county is already reaping significant benefits from the Kerugoya–Kutus municipality and that expanding municipal coverage will promote balanced development.
The mapping and boundary review process is being led by a committee that was established in April to guide the process and collect residents’ views.
“We are pleased with the turnout in Sagana. Residents are showing real interest in shaping the future of their towns,” chairperson Irene Kiatu said.
Kariti MCA Jeremiah Makimi welcomed the initiative, recalling that Sagana and Kagio were governed by a town council before devolution.
“Only Kerugoya and Kutus currently enjoy municipal benefits in Kirinyaga. If full municipality status is not possible, at least granting town status will help us qualify for Kura-constructed roads, set up local management committees and establish facilities such as fire stations and reliable water supply,” he said.
Residents and business owners also expressed optimism that the elevation will transform their towns and create new opportunities.
Mary Nyawira, a trader from Kagio, said the upgrade will attract investors, strengthening their businesses and generating jobs.
“This is good news for us. With additional funding from development partners and the national government, we expect better markets, proper planning and more business spaces,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by trader Wachira Njogu, who said the town’s upgrade was long overdue.
Kagio town, he noted, will experience heightened business activities with better roads, sewer systems and improved public amenities.
James Murimi from Wang’uru town recommended that neighbouring centres such as Kimbimbi, Mutithi, Kiamanyeki, Gathigiriri and Thiba be included in the municipality to boost development.
“A municipality will allow us to build better towns, attract investors and access essential services like fire response locally instead of relying on Kerugoya,” he said.
Kirinyaga depends on agriculture to drive its economy, with 42.5 per cent of the county’s gross domestic product attributed to the sector.
It leads in the production of coffee, which raked in Sh5 billion in 2024 and contributes over 80 per cent of the rice produced in the country.
