The report, which many media outlets later picked up and expanded on, used a mix of public feedback and financial data from county records.
Several parts of the findings closely reflect issues previously highlighted in our earlier coverage, suggesting that some organisations may have used our reporting as inspiration.
The County Governance Performance Index, which assessed all 47 governors, shows that Arati scored 65 percent, placing him in the joint first position alongside Kakamega’s Fernandes Barasa.
The County Governance Performance Index, which assessed all 47 governors, shows that Arati scored 65 percent, placing him in the joint first position alongside Kakamega’s Fernandes Barasa.
The two county chiefs were recognised for showing consistent improvement in key service areas such as health, agriculture and road connectivity.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru followed with 63.2 percent, while Narok’s Patrick Ole Ntutu secured 62.5 percent, rounding off the top three.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru followed with 63.2 percent, while Narok’s Patrick Ole Ntutu secured 62.5 percent, rounding off the top three.
According to the team behind the index, more than 13,000 Kenyans were interviewed in order to get a clear picture of how counties are performing.
The latest ranking relied on four major pillars that determine how residents experience county leadership.
The latest ranking relied on four major pillars that determine how residents experience county leadership.
The first and most important area was service delivery, which carried the highest weight. This included improvements in hospitals, access to clean water, farming support, road repairs and early childhood education.
Counties that showed real, visible progress earned stronger approval ratings from residents.
The second area looked at fiscal management, checking how governors used public money, whether they increased their own-source revenue and how they handled pending bills.
The second area looked at fiscal management, checking how governors used public money, whether they increased their own-source revenue and how they handled pending bills.
Counties with cleaner audit reports scored much better than those with repeated queries.
The third pillar, economic development, measured how effectively counties created opportunities for businesses, farmers and small industries.
The third pillar, economic development, measured how effectively counties created opportunities for businesses, farmers and small industries.
The final pillar considered governance and leadership, including transparency, decision-making and how county executives engaged the public.
Apart from the top three, several other regional leaders also received strong reviews. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga secured the fourth position with 61.8 percent, while Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo followed at 60.9 percent. Nandi’s Stephen Sang completed the top ten with 60.2 percent.
Others who made it into the top bracket include:
Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) – 58.5%
Jonathan Lati Lelelit (Samburu) – 57.8%
Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) – 57.1%
Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) – 56.4%
Governors ranked between positions 11 and 20 recorded moderate but steady performance. Embu’s Cecily Mbarire led this group with 55.7 percent, followed by Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku at 55 percent.
Other mid-tier performers included Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai (54.3 percent), Mandera’s Mohamed Adan Khalif (53.6 percent), and Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata (53 percent). Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir came in at 52.4 percent in position 16.
The remaining slots in the top 20 featured Tana River’s Dhadho Godhana (51.9 percent), Siaya’s James Orengo (51.5 percent), Taita Taveta’s Andrew Mwadime (51.1 percent) and Trans Nzoia’s George Natembeya (50.8 percent).
Analysts noted that some governors scored highly despite leading arid and semi-arid regions, where resources are already stretched. In these areas, residents recognised leaders who prioritised peace efforts, water access and pastoralist livelihoods.
Apart from the top three, several other regional leaders also received strong reviews. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga secured the fourth position with 61.8 percent, while Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo followed at 60.9 percent. Nandi’s Stephen Sang completed the top ten with 60.2 percent.
Others who made it into the top bracket include:
Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) – 58.5%
Jonathan Lati Lelelit (Samburu) – 57.8%
Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) – 57.1%
Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) – 56.4%
Governors ranked between positions 11 and 20 recorded moderate but steady performance. Embu’s Cecily Mbarire led this group with 55.7 percent, followed by Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku at 55 percent.
Other mid-tier performers included Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai (54.3 percent), Mandera’s Mohamed Adan Khalif (53.6 percent), and Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata (53 percent). Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir came in at 52.4 percent in position 16.
The remaining slots in the top 20 featured Tana River’s Dhadho Godhana (51.9 percent), Siaya’s James Orengo (51.5 percent), Taita Taveta’s Andrew Mwadime (51.1 percent) and Trans Nzoia’s George Natembeya (50.8 percent).
Analysts noted that some governors scored highly despite leading arid and semi-arid regions, where resources are already stretched. In these areas, residents recognised leaders who prioritised peace efforts, water access and pastoralist livelihoods.
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