Governors Johnson Sakaja, Susan Kihika, and Ann Waiguru are among the ten governors in whom Kenyans are losing faith, a new report has revealed.
In contrast, the report by Timely Kenya showed Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata led the pack of the best-performing governors with 83 per cent followed by Kisii Governor Simba Arati at 78 per cent, and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani scooped the third position with 77.4 per cent.
Wajir's Ahmed Abdullahi, Elgeyo Marakwet's Wesley Rotich, Machakos' Wavinya Ndeti, and Narok's Ole Ntutu came in fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively. Kiambu's Kimani Wamatangi came in eighth, Trans Nzoia's George Natembeya ninth, and Samburu's Lati Lelelit took 10th.
While these governors are flying high, according to the report, Kenyans have been reporting a declining approval rating of others.
A declining approval rating for governors basically indicates that public trust or satisfaction with their leadership is decreasing.
Leaders leading in this pack of governors losing faith in Kenyans include Johnson Sakaja, Ann Waiguru, Susan Kihika, Mutula Kilonzo Jr, Gladys Wanga, Fernandes Barasa, and Prof Anyang'o Nyong'o.
Others are Gideon Mung'aro, Abdulswamad Sheriff, and Adan Khalifa.
According to the report that investigated findings between 2022 and 2024 from 5,800 samples from all 47 counties, Kenyans mostly lose trust in governors over factors such as unpopular policies, mismanagement of funds, mishandling of crises, and economic mismatches, among other reasons.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has been making headlines lately for her extended maternity leave in the US. A Nakuru resident has lodged a petition to US President Donald Trump to deport Kihika to Kenya.
For Sakaja, cases of county mismanagement, underdevelopment, and ghost workers have been reported, undermining his leadership. Other governors on the list have been on the spot for differing with Kenyans on their political ideologies, especially in connection to the Kenya Kwanza government.
Waiguru has previously faced criticism over allegations of graft and perceived inefficiencies in her administration.
The report by Timely Kenya ranked former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza before impeachment, Migori's Achilo Ayacko, Tanna Rivers' Gaddae Godhana, Kajiado's Joseph Ole Lenku, and Busia's Paul Otuoma as the bottom in dealing with education.
Nandi's Stephen Araap Sang, Achani, Wamatangi, Natembeya, and Kang'ata lead the list of outstanding educational leaders in Kenya.
Despite having a declining approval rating, Sakaja led in the governors with extensive road networks, followed by Kang'ata, Wavinya Ndeti, Arati, and Lelelit.
A previous survey by Insight Strategists Solutions Africa in conjunction with City Hub Company Limited released in September 2023 listed Sakaja as a bottom 10 governor after scoring a 33.2 per cent.
Notably, Wamatangi's position as number eight in the Timely Kenya report is a major improvement from position 43, with 22.4 per cent in the Insight Strategists Solutions Africa report.
