A recent poll conducted by research firm Politrack Africa has revealed Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa as the most transformative county leader in Kenya for 2024.
The survey, which evaluated governors’ performance at the mid-point of their terms, ranked Barasa highest with an approval rating of 76.5 percent.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki followed closely in second place with an approval score of 75.1 percent. Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntuntu and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi secured third and fourth positions with 73.2 percent and 70.7 percent, respectively.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, despite facing challenges in her administration, ranked seventh nationally with an approval rating of 68.2 percent.
The embattled governor was also listed among the top ten best-performing governors in 2024.
The rankings, which considered 47 governors across the country, were based on data collected from 3,211 respondents and supplemented by reports from the Office of the Controller of Budget and the Auditor General. Participants were surveyed on their satisfaction with governor performance, public participation, and adherence to county planning laws as stipulated in the County Governments Act, 2012.
Governors were also assessed on the transparency and implementation of automated revenue collection systems. According to Politrack Africa, the research highlighted that maintaining high approval ratings is a challenge, with many governors experiencing declining public confidence over time.
The mean approval rating stood at 55.8 percent, underscoring significant room for improvement among county leaders. The poll suggested that governors scoring above the median of 50 percent have a favorable chance of re-election, while those below may struggle to regain public trust before the end of their terms.
Politrack Africa emphasized the importance of transparency and public communication in fostering trust between governors and their constituents. The national government was also urged to provide additional support to counties with struggling leadership.
The survey, self-funded to ensure impartiality, sheds light on the disparities in leadership performance among county bosses and highlights the growing pressure on governors to deliver transformative results as they approach the end of their tenure.
