Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata has credited devolution with opening opportunities for youths, citing programmes that place them in leadership roles, provide professional training, and equip them with seed capital.

He spoke to a local media house on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, while attending the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, which has also drawn President William Ruto and other county leaders.

“Tumeandika vijana katika top positions in Muranga county; chief officers 80% ni vijana,” Kang’ata said, highlighting the county’s deliberate effort to integrate young people into senior leadership positions.

The governor emphasised that the Murang’a Youth Service programme has been instrumental in giving youths practical work experience.

“Tuko na programme inaitwa Murang’a Youth Service inawapa vijana nafasi ya kufanya kazi, tunawapeleka kwa college wanasomea courses tofauti tofauti na tunawapatia certificate ya NITA na wanapewa Ksh15,000 seed capital,” he explained.

Kang’ata also detailed the county’s financial management improvements, noting how automation of revenue collection has significantly boosted revenue collection.

Murang’a ilikuwa inapata Ksh500M per annum on source revenue. Tukafanya automation tukapata Ksh1.3B within two years, kumaanisha tumepiga hatua,” he said.

The governor emphasised that, despite delays in national government disbursements for July and August, the county has remained committed to funding bursaries and youth programmes, ensuring essential services and support continue to reach the community.

Fruits of devolution

Speaking on the broader impact of devolution, Kang’ata said the conference offers a vital platform for counties to showcase successes, exchange lessons, and advocate for policies that strengthen and empower local communities. He described Murang’a’s experience as a model in youth engagement and financial innovation, demonstrating how local governance can directly benefit residents.

The Murang’a governor’s remarks come amid discussions at the Homa Bay conference about how counties can harness devolution to improve service delivery, promote youth empowerment, and drive economic growth. Kang’ata’s focus on integrating youths into leadership and providing them with education, skills, and capital illustrates a practical approach to building the next generation of county leaders.

With devolution, counties like Murang’a are showing that local governance can be more than administrative; it can be transformative. By investing in young people and modernising financial systems, leaders like Kang’ata are creating opportunities for the community while setting benchmarks for other counties to follow.