Ndiritu Muriithi: Mt Kenya economy is bigger than 38 African countries
By William Muthama, September 22, 2025Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi has highlighted the enormous economic potential of the Mt. Kenya region, noting that the combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of its 10 counties surpasses the total GDP of 38 African nations, including Botswana, Mauritius, and Rwanda.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, September 22, 2025, Muriithi revealed that the Mt. Kenya counties collectively generate a Gross Domestic Product of Ksh4.2 trillion, while Kenya as a whole has a Ksh16.5 trillion GDP.
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“From Tharaka to Nakuru, 10 counties, the economy of those counties is 28 billion dollars bigger than the economies of 38 African countries,” he said, comparing the GDP to countries like Botswana (Ksh 2.94 trillion), Mauritius (Ksh 2.66 trillion), and Rwanda (Ksh 2.03 trillion).
He urged county leaders and political figures to shift their attention from partisan disputes and focus on leveraging the region’s resources to drive development.
Muriithi criticised political infighting, saying it distracts leaders from harnessing local resources.
“Instead of wasting all our time insulting one another, why can’t we focus on this economy?” he asked.
He encouraged governors and county officials to explore ways to build manufacturing, enhance trade, and create jobs, urging them to move beyond symbolic gestures and start implementing concrete development initiatives.
Call for regional cooperation
The KRA chairman further called for inter-county cooperation, pointing out that blocks like the Lake Region have already begun discussions to establish development banks aimed at financing regional projects.
“Individual counties have held investment conferences, but the region needs a unified plan to truly unlock its potential,” Muriithi said.
He stressed that counties should not wait for national government directives but take charge of their economic growth through local revenue generation and intra-county trade initiatives.
While acknowledging that progress has been made, Muriithi insisted that much more needs to be done. “The direction is right, but we are not where we should be. We need to do more,” he noted, urging county leaders to prioritise practical measures that translate the region’s economic size into tangible benefits for residents.
By focusing on manufacturing, trade, and revenue mobilisation, Muriithi argued, the region could become a model for balanced development, reducing reliance on the national government while creating sustainable employment opportunities for youth.