Murang’a County Showcases Digital Transformation at AfriLabs Annual Gathering in Nairobi

By Njeri Irungu.

Nairobi, Kenya – October 13, 2025 — Murang’a County Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata has hailed the power of technology in transforming service delivery and revenue generation within devolved governments, crediting digitization for propelling the county’s income from KSh 500 million to KSh 1.3 billion annually.

Speaking at the 10th AfriLabs Annual Gathering held at the United Nations Office in Nairobi, Dr. Kang’ata said Murang’a’s embrace of technology had revolutionized its operations across sectors, including health, finance, and governance.

> “We used to earn, on average, KSh 500 million. Today, we are generating KSh 1.3 billion because of technology. People no longer pay cash; our systems are digitized,” he said. “Our medical facilities are being digitized, and even processes like logging out require digital confirmation. We are also mapping all our revenue sources to seal loopholes and strengthen accountability.”

The governor noted that Murang’a has become a model for counties seeking to adopt innovative approaches to governance and service delivery, including the introduction of telemedicine in local health facilities.

“We are currently implementing telemedicine services, allowing patients to consult specialists remotely,” he added. “This innovation has improved access to quality healthcare and reduced costs for our people.”

Dr. Kang’ata was among key speakers at the AfriLabs Annual Gathering (AAG 2025)—Africa’s largest innovation conference, marking its 10th anniversary this year. The three-day event, running from October 13 to 15, convenes more than 2,000 participants from over 50 countries under the theme “Africa’s Innovation Future: Policy, Partnerships & Progress.”

The gathering brings together innovation hub leaders, investors, policymakers, startups, development partners, and academia to chart the course of Africa’s innovation-driven growth.

AfriLabs Executive Director Anna Ekeledo said the milestone edition reflects the exponential growth of Africa’s innovation ecosystem over the last decade, with more than 500 hubs now active in 53 countries.

 “When AfriLabs launched a decade ago, we dreamed of a continent knitted by innovation,” she said. “Today, that dream is real — with networks, capital flows, and policy support connecting entrepreneurs across Africa.”

Among the highlights of this year’s gathering is the Timbuktoo Initiative, a UNDP-backed program described as a “ten-year moonshot” designed to mobilize private capital and build sustainable investment frameworks for African innovators. The initiative aims to retain innovation talent on the continent and transform nascent ideas into scalable enterprises.

The conference also features a high-level Ministerial Roundtable on innovation policy frameworks, keynote sessions, workshops, exhibitions, and startup pitch competitions. Leading partners include Villgro Africa, Afrexim Bank, Konza Technopolis, and UNDP.

Dr. Kang’ata underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange at forums like AfriLabs, saying they offer counties and African governments invaluable exposure to global best practices.

“We do not have a monopoly of ideas,” he said. “Through international conferences like this, we get to learn, share, and grow together. When Murang’a grows, Kenya grows — and when Kenya grows, Africa grows.”

Nairobi, often referred to as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, provides a fitting backdrop for this landmark gathering, celebrating a decade of innovation excellence and setting the stage for the continent’s next innovation decade.