By OLIVER MUSEMBI
Fiscal discipline, reduced revenue leakages and prudent financial management enabled the Kiambu County Government to collect a record Sh6.5 billion in Own Source Revenue (OSR) over the last financial year.
The county’s locally generated revenue has grown significantly from Sh2.8 billion in 2022 to the current Sh6.5 billion, the highest amount recorded since the advent of devolution.
Governor Kimani Wamatangi attributed the growth to his administration’s decision to strengthen revenue collection systems rather than impose additional taxes on residents.
Speaking during celebrations marking four years of his administration at the county headquarters on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Wamatangi projected that Kiambu would collect more than Sh11 billion annually within the next three years.
“Our target is that within the next three years, God willing, we are going to match, shilling for shilling, every disbursement made to this county. To those who have been waiting to see whether we will fail, by 2028 Kiambu will be raising more than Sh11.5 billion annually, enabling us to provide the level of services our people deserve,” Wamatangi said.
He noted that the increase in local revenue has positioned Kiambu among the country’s leading counties in revenue mobilisation and strengthened its ability to finance development projects without relying entirely on allocations from the National Treasury.
According to the Governor, the county has so far constructed 512 new Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, 32 Level Four and Level Three hospitals, 26 modern markets and thousands of market stalls.
He added that the county has also installed at least 12,000 solar-powered streetlights, supported more than 750,000 farmers with agricultural inputs and undertaken extensive road rehabilitation projects across the county.
County Assembly Majority Leader Geoffrey Mucheke credited the achievements to Wamatangi’s resilience and determination despite sustained political opposition from a section of Kiambu leaders.
“If we were led by someone who gave up easily, Kiambu would not be where it is today. We all know the political battles directed at this county government began immediately after Wamatangi was elected Governor,” Mucheke said.
The Governor’s recent political remarks have fuelled speculation that he may have fallen out with the ruling party and could seek re-election on another political party’s ticket or as an independent candidate.
Wamatangi has maintained that he will not be pressured into joining any political outfit, insisting that the people of Kiambu will determine his political direction when the appropriate time comes.
“No amount of persecution, blackmail or threats from any quarter will force me into political alignments ahead of the next elections. I will follow the will of the people of Kiambu,” he said while addressing boda boda riders from Karuri, Kihara, Ndenderu, Cianda and Muchatha wards.
The Governor further alleged that he had survived an assassination attempt.
“They even attempted to assassinate me one Sunday afternoon when a gunman hiding in bushes near my home fired into the air as I returned from church,” he claimed.
“They wanted to intimidate me into abandoning my responsibilities and engaging in meaningless political battles, but I remain focused on serving the people of Kiambu.”
Reiterating his position, Wamatangi said leadership decisions should be guided by the wishes of the electorate rather than political coercion.
“When the time comes, the people of Kiambu will decide which political party I should join. No amount of persecution, blackmail or threats will force me into political factions or unnecessary politicking,” he said.
Earlier this year, in January, Wamatangi suffered a major setback when his motor vehicle business premises in Nairobi were demolished under heavy police security, resulting in substantial financial losses.
The Governor blamed the demolition on his political opponents, describing it as a politically motivated witch-hunt and vowing not to be intimidated.
He has also previously complained of public humiliation during events attended by President William Ruto, including a church service in Gatundu North earlier this year where area MP Njoroge Kururia referred to him as an “outgoing governor.”
In June 2025, anti-corruption detectives raided Wamatangi’s residence while investigating alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments amounting to Sh1.5 billion.
Although detectives recovered Sh13.6 million in cash from his home and questioned him for several hours, no criminal charges have been filed against the Governor.
