Kakamega Named Top Performing County: List Of Top 20 Governors, Survey

• Fernandes Barasa is credited with significant achievements in youth empowerment, solar-powered projects, and advancements in healthcare
• Jonathan Bii was recognised for providing farmers with access to grain dryers, improving local roads, and supplying milk to early pre-primary schools
• Patrick Ole Ntuntu was recognised for public washrooms and restful areas within Maasai Mara and for inaugurating the Narok County Revenue bank

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, leverages more than three years of expertise in financial, business, and technology research, providing profound insights into both Kenyan and global economic trends.

The Politrack Africa poll recognised Kakamega county as the leading county in Kenya, acknowledging its outstanding performance in various key initiatives; additionally, the poll compiled a list of the top 20 performing governors in Kenya.

The analysis considered 20 counties and ultimately ranked Kakamega at the top with an impressive performance rate of 70.6%, surpassing its counterparts.

Why Kakamega?

Within Kakamega county, the survey highlighted impactful projects such as the Governor’s Cup tournament, initiatives supporting youth and women through beekeeping, the successful launch of the solar-powered Samitsi Market Water project, and substantial improvements in county shelter programs.

Top five counties

Uasin Gishu county closely trailed Kakamega with a performance rate of 69.8 %, joined by Narok county with the same score and in third, fourth, and fifth positions were Isiolo, Kisii, and Homa Bay counties with performance rates of 68.4%, 67.3%, and 66.1%, respectively.

Bottom three counties

On the flip side, Nyeri county found itself at the bottom of the list among the 20 counties, achieving a score of 55.2%, followed closely by Machakos county with 55.9% and Baringo county with 56.4%.

The survey involved a sample size of 12,801 participants, spanning all 47 counties, including telephone interviews carried out at the household level from November 1 to November 8, 2023.

Top 20 governors

Heading the list is Fernandes Barasa of Kakamega, followed closely by Jonathan Bii of Uasin Gishu, and Patrick Ole Ntuntu of Narok in second place.

Securing the third spot is Abdi Hassan Guyo of Isiolo, followed by Simba Arati of Kisii county in fourth, followed by Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay and Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata, who share the fifth spot.

Governor Muthomi Njuki of Tharaka Nithi secured the sixth position, and position seven goes to Nandi’s Stephen Sang, followed by Kwale’s Fatuma Achani and Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet at position 8.

Ninth place is held by Mandera’s Mohamed Adan Khalif, while the tenth position is shared by Embu’s Cecily Mbarire and Erick Mutai of Kericho county.

Jonathan Lelelit ties for the eleventh position with Kirinyaga’s Anne Waiguru, and Mutula Kilonzo of Makueni takes the twelfth position.

George Natembeya of Trans Nzoia secured the thirteenth spot, while Abdulswamad Nassir of Mombasa is placed fourteenth, followed by Siaya’s James Orengo at fifteenth, and Kiambu’s Kimani Wamatangi at position 16.

Anyang Nyong’o of Kisumu takes the seventeenth spot, followed by Ken Lusaka of Bungoma at position 18, while Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos ranks 19th, followed by Nyeri’s Mutahi Kahiga at position 20.

Gladys Wanga awarded

In other news related to county performance, Homa Bay's Governor Gladys Wanga was honoured with the Ugatuzi Award.

She received the award during the 4th edition of the Huduma Ombudsman Awards as an acknowledgement of her commitment to open governance and people-centric leadership, with a focus on placing the people at the centre of plans and decision-making.

During the awards, KRA was also praised for meeting information requirements and demonstrating a commendable commitment to exceptional public service delivery.