Kisii County boss Simba Arati has emerged as the joint-best performing governor, overtaking the likes of Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru in the latest ranking of Kenya's county leaders.
According to the latest County Governance Performance Index, Arati had an impressive score of 65.0 per cent, level with Kakamega County governor Fernandes Barasa.
Waiguru followed closely with 63.2 per cent, while Narok governor Patrick Ole Ntutu scored 62.5 per cent.
The report drew data on public perception from a nationwide survey of 13,144 respondents with fiscal data from the Office of the Controller of Budget to provide a comprehensive assessment of leadership effectiveness.
The index also evaluated governors across four key pillars, including service delivery, which carried the heaviest weight at 35 per cent. County governments were assessed on improvements in healthcare, agriculture, roads, water, as well as early childhood and vocational training. County bosses who delivered visible improvements in these sectors earned the highest public approval.
Another index which was examined was a county's fiscal stewardship (15 per cent). Governors who were able to demonstrate an ability to show own source revenue growth, audit compliance and management of pending bills scored considerably higher.
The other two pillars, which were examined, were a county's economic development at 15 per cent and overall governance and leadership, which accounted for 25 per cent of the final score.
Other Top-Performing Governors
Homabay County boss Gladys Wanga came in fourth with 61.8 per cent in the rankings, followed by controversial Isiolo County boss Abdi Ibrahim Guyo who scored 60.9 per cent.
The top 10 was rounded up by Nandi County boss Stephen Sang at 60.2 per cent. Uasin Gishu County boss Jonathan Bii (58.5 per cent), Samburu County boss Jonathan Lati Lelelit (57.8 per cent), Kiambu County boss Kimani Wamatangi recorded 57.1 per cent, and Kisumu County boss Anyang’ Nyong’o at 56.4 per cent.
The governors ranking from 11th to 20th place show more modest performance scores, with Embu County boss Cecily Mutitu Mbarire securing 11th position with 55.7 per cent, while Kajiado County boss Joseph Ole Lenku followed closely at 55.0 per cent.
Turkana County boss Jeremiah Lomorukai came in 13th with 54.3 per cent, and Mandera County boss Mohamed Adan Khalif achieved 14th place at 53.6 per cent. Murang’a County boss Irungu Kang’ata ranked 15th with 53.0 per cent, with Mombasa County boss Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir just behind at 52.4 per cent in 16th position.
The final four in the top 20 were Tana River County boss Dhadho Gaddae Godhana in 17th place with 51.9 per cent, followed by Siaya County boss James Orengo at 51.5 per cent. Taita Taveta County boss Andrew Mwadime ranked 19th with 51.1 per cent, while Trans Nzoia County boss George Natembeya, despite controversies in recent weeks, rounded out the list in 20th place at 50.8 per cent.
It is also worth noting that the governors' performance was contextual, taking into account local challenges specific to counties. For example, top-performing governors in arid and semi-arid counties were praised for prioritising peace, water access and pastoralist economies despite limited resources.
By looking at both financial data and public opinion, the index provided some perspective on how well governors are performing and shows where counties can improve to meet citizens’ needs.
