The constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for two distinct and interdependent levels of government – the national and the county governments. The decentralized structures are headed by sub-county, wards, and village administrators at the county level. Murang'a sub-counties stem from the country's devolved government.
Murang'a County is located in the former central province, now the country's central region. It is one of the 47 newly formed counties in Kenya. The county borders Kiambu County to the south, Nyeri County to the north, Nyandarua County to the west, and Machakos, Embu, and Kirinyaga Counties to the east.
List of Murang'a sub-counties
Murang’a County is the 14th most populous county in Kenya. It has a total of 942,581 people. The county is home to 2.4% of the total population in the country. It has a density of 3.7 people per household. Here is a look at Murang'a sub-counties with their population and county assembly wards.
1. Gatanga sub-county
- Population: 187,989
- Area: 532.3 km²
- Population Density: 353.2/km²
- Annual Population Change: 0.47%
Gatanga Sub-County is one of the seven sub-counties in Muranga County. It was established during the 1988 elections when the Kandara Constituency was split. Gatanga Sub-County has six wards, namely:
- Ithanga
- Kakuzi/Mitubiri
- Mugumo-Ini
- Kihumbu-Ini
- Gatanga
- Kariara
The population in Gatanga sub-county is distributed as follows:
- Total population - 187,989
- Males - 94,437
- Females - 93,548
- Intersex - 4
- 0-14 years - 62,973
- 15 to 64 years - 111,894
- 65 years and above - 13,117
2. Kandara Sub-County
- Population: 175,098
- Area: 234.6 km² Area
- Population Density: 746.4/km²
- Annual Population Change: 1.1%
Kandara is one of the electrical sub-counties in Kenya. Initially, it was one of the three constituencies in the former Maragua District in Central Province. It was established for the 1963 elections.
Kandara Sub-County has six wards, namely:
- Ng’araria
- Muruka
- Kagungu-ini
- Gaichanjiru
- Ithiru
- Ruchu
The sub- county's population is distributed as follows:
- Total population - 175,098
- Males - 86,698
- Females - 88,393
- Intersex - 7
- 0-14 years - 57,304
- 15 to 64 years - 102,153
- 65 years and above - 15,633
3. Kangema Sub-County
- Population: 80,447
- Area: 173.7 km²
- Population Density: 463.1/km²
- Annual Population Change: 0.44%
Kangema sub-county encompasses Kangema Township. The economic mainstay of the region is agriculture. Most of the land in the region has coffee and tea plantations. The entire region is well served by communication and transport infrastructure. Kangema Sub-County has three wards:
- Kanyenya-ini
- Muguru
- Rwathia
The population in the Kangema sub-county is distributed as follows:
- Total population - 80,447
- Males - 39,582
- Females - 40,862
- Intersex - 3
- 0-14 years - 24,307
- 15 to 64 years - 47,837
- 65 years and above - 8,300
4. Kigumo Sub-County
- Population: 136,921
- Area: 244.2 km²
- Population Density: 560.7/km²
- Annual Population Change: 1.0%
Kigumo sub-county is an electoral region in Kenya. Previously, it was one of three constituencies in the former Maragua District, Central Province. It was established for the 1963 elections.
The sub-county is divided into five wards. They are:
- Kahumbu
- Muthithi
- Kigumo
- Kangari
- Kinyona
Kigumo sub-county’s population breakdown is as follows;
- Total population - 136,921
- Males - 67,989
- Females - 68,929
- Intersex - 3
- 0-14 years - 45,139
- 15 to 64 years - 79,831
- 65 years and above - 11,946
5. Mathioya Sub-County
- Population: 92,814
- Area: 177.5 km²
- Population Density: 522.9/km²
- Annual Population Change: 0.51%
Mathioya sub-county takes pride in two major rivers, Iyo and Gatua Ciuma Rivers. The latter is one of the hardest rafting rivers in the country. The climate in the region is suitable for tea farming even though there are several pockets of coffee plantations.
Mathioya Sub-County has three wards:
- Gitugi
- Kiru
- Kamacharia
It’s one of the least populated sub-counties in Murang’a County. The population is distributed as follows:
- Total population - 92,814
- Males - 45,454
- Females - 47,359
- Intersex - 1
- 0-14 years - 29,320
- 15 to 64 years - 53,936
- 65 years and above - 9,556
6. Kiharu Sub-County
- Population: 181,076
- Area: 410.00km²
- Population Density: 441.88/km²
- Annual Population Change: 0.49%
Kiharu Sub-County is an electoral region in Kenya. It is one of seven sub-counties of Muranga County. Murang'a town is located within this sub-county. There are six wards in the Kiharu sub-county, namely:
- Wangu
- Mugoiri
- Mbiri
- Township
- Murarandia
- Gaturi
The population in the sub-county is distributed as follows:
- Total population - 181,076
- Males - 87,487
- Females - 93,589
7. Maragwa Sub-County
- Population: 152,272
- Area: 547.00km²
- Population Density: 278.29/km²
- Annual Population Change: 0.51%
Maragwa sub-county is one of seven constituencies in Muranga County. It was one of three constituencies in the former Maragua District, Central Province. The sub-county was established for the 1997 elections. Maragwa Sub-County has six wards. They are:
- Kimoroni/Wempa
- Makuyu
- Kambiti
- Kamahuha
- Ichagaki
- Nginda
The sub-county is one of the most populated regions in Murang'a County, with the population distribution as follows:
- Total population - 152,272
- Males - 74,711
- Females - 77,561
Frequently asked questions
- How many divisions are in Muranga County? Muranga County has seven sub-counties, further divided into 35 electoral wards.
- Which are the most populated sub-counties in Murang’a County? The most populated sub-counties are the Gatanga sub-county, which has a population of 187,989, followed by the Kiharu Sub-County, which has a population of 181,076.
- Which is the least populated sub-county in Murang’a County? The least populated sub-county in Murang’a County is the Kangema sub-county, with a population of 80,447.
- Which are the constituencies in Murang’a County? The constituencies in Murang’a County are Kangema Constituency, Kiharu Constituency, Mathioya Constituency, Kigumo Constituency, Kandara Constituency, Maragwa Constituency and Gatanga Constituency.
- Kenol is in which sub-county? Kenol is located in the Maragwa sub-county in Murang’a County.
- Which are the wards in Murang’a County? There are 35 electoral wards from the seven sub-counties in Muranga.
- What is the sub-county distribution in Murang'a County? Kiharu, Maragwa, Kandara and Gatanga have six wards each, followed by Kigumo with five wards, while Kangema and Mathioya have three wards each.
Final word
Murang'a County has seven sub-counties, each with several county assembly wards. Like all the others in the county, Murang'a sub-counties are headed by an administrator responsible for managing the sub-county's daily activities.
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about all sub-counties in Nairobi County. Although one of the smallest counties in Kenya, Nairobi has a dense population. Sub-counties in Nairobi have various social amenities such as housing and health, making the city a lucrative place to live.
Nairobi sub-counties and wards were among the new systems introduced by the new constitution promulgated in 2010. Also known as constituencies, MPs represent them, while county assembly members represent wards.
