Revealed: Top ranking governors, popular MPs

By Peter Ochieng

A survey conducted by a research firm has ranked the 47 governors in the country in terms of performance, while also narrowing down on Members of Parliament’s popularity.

According to results of research conducted by Infotrak, Murang’a governor Francis Irungu Kang’ata is the best performing county boss in the country, with a rating of 68 percent.

He is closely followed by Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya and Homabay County’s Gladys Wanga, with a rating of 64 and 61 percent respectively. The trio are first term governors, having been first elected in 2022 on UDA, DAP-K and ODM party tickets in that order.

Kisumu’s Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o (59%), Mutula Kilonzo of Makueni (57%), Elgeyo Marakwet’s Wesley Rotich (56%), Kisii’s Paul Simba Arati (55%), Kilifi’s Gideon Mung'aro (54%), Nyeri County’s Mutahi Kahiga (54%) and Kiambu’s Paul Kimani Wamatangi (53%) complete the top ten list.

Only Nyong’o and Kahiga are second term governors among the aforementioned county bosses. Fatuma Achani (Kwale) Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Jonathan Lati Leleliit (Samburu), Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok), Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos), Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Wilber Otichilo (Vihiga) complete the top 20 chart.

According to the pollster, the survey was conducted between October and December 2024. On the development front in counties, Murang’a County is the top with a 52 score, closely followed by Homa Bay County at 51 percent.

Trans Nzoia and Kirinyaga tied at position three with a score of 48 percent, while Kisii (47), Nyeri (47), and Kisumu (47) were all ranked fifth.

In the National Assembly, Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Paul Ongili alias Babu Owino is the most popular among his peers, followed by Kiharu’s Samson Ndindi Nyoro with a rating of 71 and 71 percent respectively.

The two politicians are not only vocal on topical issues in the country, but their developed record, occasioned by prudent use of the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) ‘speaks for itself.’

Kabuchai MP Joseph Majimbo Kalasinga and Kathiani’s Robert Mbui (Kathiani) had a 62 percent rating each, while Kithunguri’s Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), John Waluke (Sirisia), Peter Salasya (Mumias East) and Erastus Nzioka (Mbooni), each with 62 percent closed the top five list.

Over 39, 700 Kenyans participated in the research. “Our current index was conducted between October – December 2024 covering all the 47 counties, 290 constituencies and 1450 wards with an overall sample of 39,795,” reads the report in part.

“Each county was treated as an individual universe and assigned a cluster sample which ranged between 600 and 2000 respondents guided by the population and number of wards in the respective counties. Within each county, sampling frames were designed using population proportionate to size guided by census data and catered for demographics such as age, gender etc.”

Data was collected through Computer Assisted Telephone interviews (CATI), and analysed using SPSS.