Governor
Governor Joshua Wakahora Irungu, EGH
Joshua Wakahora Irungu, born on February 2, 1970, is a distinguished Kenyan politician and community development specialist. He serves as the inaugural governor of Laikipia County, initially holding office from 2013 to 2017 under the TNA Party. In 2022, he secured his second and final term, this time running on a UDA ticket.
Education:
Joshua Irungu holds a Master's Degree in Agriculture and Rural Development and a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management, both earned from Egerton University.
Career:
His career includes notable roles such as the Divisional Agricultural and Livestock Extension Officer for Laikipia West and Nyahururu Divisions in the Civil Service from 1997 to 2000. Subsequently, he joined USAID, overseeing the International Small Group and Tree Planting Programme (ISGTPP). With over 20 years of experience, he has been a driving force in community development programs in Laikipia County.
In February 2019, he assumed the position of Chairperson of the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) until his re-election as Governor of Laikipia County in 2022.
Governorship Tenure:
2013-2017: During his initial tenure, Governor Joshua Irungu, EGH, and his running mate Josephat Kabugi Gitonga secured a landslide victory in the 2013 Gubernatorial election in Laikipia County, representing The National Alliance party. Under his leadership, Laikipia County witnessed remarkable transformation. Key achievements include:
- Launching a five-year strategy focusing on dairy farming, security, horticulture, tourism, road network, power and water supply, construction, and education.
- Significantly improving healthcare by increasing access to services, constructing over 20 new dispensaries, purchasing seven ambulances, and upgrading county hospitals to referral centers with functional theaters and ICU machines.
- Addressing human-wildlife conflict and initiating solar energy production, contributing 20 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
- Enhancing security through the construction of over 10 police posts in banditry-prone areas.
- Opening up, murraming, and rehabilitating over 3,000 km of roads at a cost of over 4 billion.
- Building more than 250 ECDE classrooms, establishing sports programs, and supporting agriculture through the Household Economic Empowerment Programme (H.E.E.P).
2022-2027: In the 2022 general elections, Joshua Irungu, running as the United Democratic Alliance party candidate of the Kenya Kwanza alliance, reclaimed the governorship of Laikipia with over 70% of the votes. His commitment to community service and transforming lives remains unwavering.
Governor Joshua Irungu, often referred to as the 'Chief Servant,' is dedicated to improving the lives of the people of Laikipia. He actively engages in agricultural best practices, using his farm as a demonstration site, and considers devolution a significant positive development for the county. Joshua Irungu is happily married to Grace Wakahora, and they are blessed with three boys and a girl.