Muranga County
Mau Mau coffee hills became avocado capital—32% of national production as governor chases China markets. By 2026: direct market access or intermediary capture continues.
Murang'a exists because the central highlands exist—the fertile volcanic slopes between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare Range that became Kenya's agricultural heartland. The Kikuyu people developed intensive cultivation here long before colonialism; European settlers then established coffee estates that would spark independence struggle. Dedan Kimathi, Mau Mau leader, came from these hills.
Post-independence, Murang'a transitioned from estate to smallholder coffee cultivation, maintaining quality while redistributing ownership. But the 21st century brought avocado. The county now leads Kenya in avocado production—32% of national output, over 200,000 metric tonnes annually, valued at KSh 4.6 billion. The global "green gold" boom transformed hillsides as farmers intercropped avocados with traditional coffee.
2025 finds Murang'a aggressively marketing its products. Governor Irungu Kang'ata led a delegation to China seeking coffee markets; Deputy Governor Stephen Munania toured the USA pursuing avocado and coffee deals. The June 2025 Murang'a Investment Conference targeted agricultural processing and export infrastructure. Coffee payments improved dramatically—from lagging behind peer counties to second nationally behind Kirinyaga.
The county exhibits classic agricultural upgrading dynamics: diversifying from single-crop dependence, seeking value-addition, and pursuing direct market access. By 2026, whether Chinese coffee demand materializes and avocado exports sustain will test if Murang'a's aggressive marketing translates into farmer prosperity—or whether intermediaries continue capturing most of the value.