Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha delivering the State of the County Address on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Photo/GPS
By Newsflash Writer
Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha on Tuesday, December 2, 2024, delivered a detailed State of the County Address outlining what he termed as a transformative three-year development record since taking office in 2022.
In the address made at the Nyandarua County Assembly chambers in Ol Kalou Town, Badilisha said the last three years had produced “historic and verifiable gains” that continue to reshape infrastructure, healthcare, water access, agriculture and public institutions across the county.
He framed his administration’s work under the theme “Consolidating the Gains: Legacy Over Quick Fixes,” insisting that every ward had experienced tangible progress. He emphasized that his government had prioritised long-term impact over populist quick fixes, arguing that the results—especially in roads, bridges, healthcare and water supply—were already visible in improved livelihoods.
Transforming roads and building bridges
A significant portion of the governor’s address focused on infrastructure, which he described as the foundation of Nyandarua’s economic transformation. Central to this progress is the construction and rehabilitation of dozens of new bridges across the county—projects Badilisha referred to as “bridges of prosperity.”
The governor celebrated the completion of the 30-metre Gachuha Bridge in Githioro Ward, which he said ended decades of isolation for Gathiriga and Njura villages. Residents, previously forced to make a 40-kilometre detour to reach markets in Gilgil and neighbouring towns, now enjoy direct access thanks to the new bridge.
He also listed other completed bridges including Washington (Engineer Ward), Wanyoike (Githabai), the Njoguini Bypass Bridge that shortens travel from 14 kilometres to just three, Rayeta, Kahutha, Thitai, Mwangaza in Karau, Chamuka in Kanjuiri, Nyairoko, Kangui in Weru, and Mutarakwa in Gathara.
Read more: Who planned the Nyandarua mayhem?
“In the current financial year, the county plans additional bridges in Gikingi/Riverside, Wandaka, 9-One (Central Ward), Mithuri/Nyonjoro, Kamuyu in Mirangine, Wamaitha in North Kinangop and Malewa linking Kipipiri and Kaimbaga,” he stated.
On roads, Badilisha reported that over the past year the county graded 605 kilometres, graveled 110 kilometres and opened 20 kilometres of new routes, including Nyakiambi–Murindati, Gwa Kiongo–Gachiengo, Ha Guka–Bahati and Turasha River–Njura. He urged the Assembly to fast-track the Nyandarua County Roads Management Bill to address road destruction by overweight trucks.
Major gains in healthcare
The governor highlighted significant progress in the healthcare sector, noting that Nyandarua had been ranked first nationally in reducing maternal deaths and posting more than 98 per cent assisted deliveries. He pointed to the modern neonatal unit established at Engineer County Referral Hospital, which has handled 54 cases since July, as well as new maternity units in Tumaini and Ndaragwa built in partnership with the Finnish government.
Badilisha said the county had recruited 110 healthcare workers and planned to hire 50 more this financial year. He cited new specialised services including neurology, orthopedics, cytology, CT scans and ultrasound diagnostics. The Integrated Sample Referral System—digitally linking facilities for faster diagnostics—had integrated 51 per cent of health centres by mid-August.
Read more: Nyandarua to get its first ever University
Nyandarua has expanded its health facility footprint from 78 to more than 90 sites, opened new dispensaries in Kagaa, Munyeki, Kiganjo and Passenga, and increased community health promoters’ stipends.
On water access, the governor reported that his administration had drilled, cased or revived over 85 boreholes, rehabilitated major intakes such as Mutara and Kipipiri Integrated Water Project, and connected more than 20,000 households to clean water. In one year alone, the county laid 201.5 kilometres of water pipeline, constructed seven masonry tanks and distributed 1,500 household water tanks.
Through partnerships such as the Water Sector Trust Fund and the World Bank’s FLLoCA programme, the county expanded water access further—upgrading Kirima Water Project to serve 24,000 residents, installing biogas plants for vulnerable households in Gathanje and North Kinangop, and undertaking environmental rehabilitation in Olbolossat worth KSh 7 million.
Agricultural reforms and the University milestone
The governor defended his administration’s decision to diversify agriculture, noting that shrinking land sizes and unpredictable weather had rendered traditional crops increasingly unviable. To mitigate these challenges, the county is promoting new high-value crops including apples, avocado and coffee. At least 20,000 seedlings will be distributed this year, alongside strengthened extension services.
“The flagship A.I programme has inseminated 21,642 cows, producing nearly 6,000 improved calves. Cooperative development has accelerated, with 33 new cooperatives established, 19 revived, and plans underway for a countywide dairy cooperative union. Cooperatives have been instrumental in distributing maize seed, fertilizer and clean seed multiplication,” he said.
Read more:Nyandarua Ruto allies in efforts to regain lost support
Badilisha also celebrated the establishment of the University of Nyandarua, which opened in September under the mentorship of the University of Nairobi. The Assembly funded renovations at the Oljoroorok ATC, now serving as the interim campus. The governor highlighted improvements in ECDE—among them a KSh 5,000 stipend increment for teaching assistants—and plans to build 100 classrooms, deploy digital tools and modernise VTCs.
He concluded by urging unity and commitment to long-term development, saying: “The state of our county has never been more promising. It is time to accelerate and consolidate these historic gains.”
About the Author
