Murang’a, Kenya: The Murang’a County government has officially gazetted 11 members to serve on its budget and economic council, a move aimed at bolstering the region’s economic development and budgeting processes.
According to Kenya News Agency, the constitution of this council, as mandated by the Public Finance Management Act 2012, is a critical step towards providing expert guidance to Governor Irungu Kang’ata on matters concerning county budgeting and economic development. The governor’s selection includes prominent figures from academia, business, and professional sectors, reflecting a diverse range of expertise and experience.
Among those appointed to the council are Dr. Peter Munga, former chairman of Equity Bank; Jimnah Mbaru, a businessman; Dr. SK Macharia of Royal Media; Professor Olive Mugenda, former Vice Chancellor of Kenyatta University; and Engineer John Musonik, a board member of Safaricom and former Permanent Secretary for Roads. Other members include Professor Zipporah Nganga, Dr. Kanyije Gakombe, Dr. Felistus Njuguna, Professor Macharia Muthuure, Ambassador Mary Muthoni, and Dr. Salome Gitoho.
Governor Kang’ata, in his approach to nominations, has emphasized the significance of involving accomplished professionals, academics, and business leaders who have significantly contributed to national development. This council is expected to play a crucial role in advising the governor on developmental priorities that will benefit the residents of Murang’a County.
The inauguration of this council coincides with a collaborative effort between the county and national government to establish an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) on land acquired from the fruit processing company Delmonte Ltd. The governor disclosed that the administration has allocated 500.3 acres of land in the Makenji area for the EPZ, a project that is anticipated to significantly boost employment and economic growth in the county.
Governor Kang’ata envisions the EPZ as a transformative initiative for Murang’a, leveraging local raw materials and ensuring that the majority of the labor force for the project is sourced from the host county. “We believe the proposed EPZ will be a game changer in terms of economic growth and development of this county,” Kang’ata stated, highlighting the strategic importance of the EPZ in the region’s economic landscape.