Homa Bay County’s Gladys Wanga is the best performing governor in Kenya, this is according to a survey by Timely Kenya.
According to the survey that rates the 47 governors one year after taking office, Wanga enjoys a 75.7% approval rating.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr comes second with 71%, while Tharaka Nithi’s Muthomi Njuki (69.8%), Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata (68.3%) and Nairobi’s Johnson Sakaja (67%) complete the top 5 best performing county chiefs.
Best performing governors ranked
- Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay)
- Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni)
- Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi)
- Irungu Kangata (Murang’a)
- Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi)
- Anne Waiguru 9Kirinyaga) – 66.4%
- Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (Mombasa) – 64%
- Simba Arati (Kisii) – 63.5%
- Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega) – 63%
- Hillary Barchok (Bomet) – 62.6%
- Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) – 61.7%
- Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) – 60%
- Cecily Mbarire (Embu) – 58.4%
- George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia) – 57.7%
- Prof. Anyang Nyong’o (Kisumu) – 57.7%
- Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri) – 57.2%
- Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) – 56.8%
- Mohamed Khalifa (Mandera) – 56%
- Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) – 55.4%
- Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir) – 54.4%
- Julius Malombe (Kitui) – 54.4%
- Susan Kihika (Nakuru) – 52.9%
- Stephen Sang (Nandi) – 52%
- Fatuma Achani (Kwale) – 51.5%
- Moses Kiarie (Nyandarua) – 51%
- Eric Mutai (Kericho) – 50.6%
- Wilder Otichilo (Vihiga) – 50%
- Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) – 49.1%
- Ochilo Ayacko (Migori) – 48.8%
- Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) – 48.2%
- Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi) – 48%
- Paul Otuoma (Busia) – 46.9%
- Jonathan Lelelit (Samburu) – 46%
- James Orengo (Siaya) – 45.5%
- Ole Lenku (Kajiado) – 44%
- Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta) – 42.8%
- Simon Kachapin (West Pokot) – 39%
- Nathif Jamaa (Garissa) – 39%
- Jeremiah Lomurukai (Turkana) – 38.3%
- Issa Timamy (Lamu) – 37.6%
- Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) – 36.8%
- Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) – 36.1%
- Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira) – 33.9%
- Joshua Irungu (Laikipia) – 32%
- Abdi Guyo (Isiolo) – 29%
- Dhadho Gadhana (Tana River) – 27.7%
- Mohammud Ali (Marsabit) – 26.1%
Female governors shine
The survey found out that female governors are doing better than their male counterparts. All scored above 50% with the exception of Meru’s Kawira Mwangaza.
Also, it has been established that first-term governors are doing better than those in their second term.
“Some Governors are yet to initialise sustainable programs. I.e Tana River, Baringo, Meru, Taita Taveta and Siaya… Some governors are rarely seen on ground. I.e Garissa, Marsabit, Nyamira and Turkana,” the statement by Timely Kenya on the survey reads in part.
From the survey conducted between September 1 and September 9 2023, it appears that most governors have given emphasis to health and early childhood education programs.
Survey’s methodology
A sample size of 2,043 respondents across eight regions took part in the survey that utilised computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) as medium of collecting data.
