By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 13 June 2026 - Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu has declared that his administration has fundamentally transformed the county through a broad development agenda that has expanded access to healthcare, boosted agricultural productivity, improved infrastructure and strengthened economic opportunities for residents.
In a strong defence of his government's performance, the governor said the county had registered significant milestones across key sectors, resulting in improved service delivery and better livelihoods for wananchi.
"It is inspiring to reflect on my administration's implementation of a transformative development agenda that has significantly improved healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, water access, environmental conservation, trade, tourism and revenue mobilisation across Laikipia County," said Irungu.
Speaking after a meeting with the County Senior Management Team on Friday, the governor said the review of county programmes revealed substantial progress in implementing projects that directly impact residents across all wards.
"Today, we reviewed key achievements that have enhanced service delivery, expanded economic opportunities and improved the livelihoods of residents across all wards," he said.
The governor highlighted healthcare as one of the county's biggest success stories, citing the operationalisation of seven new health facilities and major investments in specialised treatment services.
"Notable milestones in healthcare include the operationalisation of seven new health facilities, reconstruction of Island and Nguu Health Centres, establishment of eight modern operating theatres, expansion of dialysis services and the launch of a Renal Unit at Nyahururu County Referral Hospital," he said.
Irungu added that the county had strengthened its healthcare workforce through the recruitment and promotion of hundreds of medical personnel.
"We also recruited and promoted 377 healthcare workers, increasing our permanent health workforce to 1,085 staff," he said.
In agriculture, the governor said the county's interventions were helping farmers increase productivity while building resilience against climate-related shocks.
"Our agriculture sector has benefited from expanded extension services, distribution of over 328,000 bags of fertiliser, establishment of 517 demonstration plots, and the distribution of more than 63,000 fruit seedlings and nearly 400,000 coffee seedlings," he said.
"Additionally, 1,250 hectares have been brought under irrigation, strengthening food security and climate resilience."
Irungu also pointed to ongoing infrastructure investments, saying the county had improved road connectivity through grading, gravelling and drainage works while constructing bridges and culverts to open up remote areas.
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The governor said the administration was equally focused on industrialisation and economic growth through strategic investments aimed at creating jobs and increasing incomes.
"To stimulate economic growth, we established the KSh 500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park in Rumuruti, advanced plans for a coffee processing facility in Kinamba, and invested in modern markets across Nanyuki, Rumuruti, Wiyumiririe and Ol Jabet," he said.
On water access, Irungu said communities across the county were benefiting from expanded water infrastructure projects.
"Significant investments in water infrastructure have seen the operationalisation and rehabilitation of boreholes, extension of water pipelines, and rehabilitation of Tiamamut Dam, improving access to clean water for communities across the county," he said.
The governor further cited environmental conservation as a major pillar of his administration's agenda, noting that efforts to restore ecosystems and combat climate change had been intensified.
"Our commitment to environmental conservation is demonstrated through the distribution of over 1.1 million tree seedlings, restoration of degraded ecosystems, protection of wetlands, and establishment of Ward Climate Change Planning Committees in all wards," he said.
Irungu also hailed the county's revenue performance, describing it as evidence of improved efficiency and prudent management of public resources.
"In revenue mobilisation, the county realised KSh1.277 billion in Own Source Revenue against a target of KSh1.35 billion, achieving a 95 per cent performance rate and demonstrating improved accountability and efficiency in public service delivery," he said.
As his administration shifts focus to the next phase of development, the governor pledged to build on the gains already achieved.
"As we look ahead, we remain committed to consolidating these gains through expanded healthcare services, completion of key infrastructure projects, operationalisation of industrial investments, increased irrigation coverage, strengthened climate resilience and enhanced revenue mobilisation for the continued prosperity of the people of Laikipia," he said.