Mizani Africa has released its latest findings for the “Top 10 Best Performing Governors 2025,” a report assessing the effectiveness of county-level executive leadership in Kenya. According to the research firm, the Mizani Africa Performance Index 2025 relies on public evaluations to rank governors based on their fulfillment of constitutional and administrative duties.
The organization stated that the assessment criteria included policy direction, oversight of executive departments, budget execution, service delivery, and intergovernmental coordination. Mizani Africa highlighted that high-scoring county chiefs demonstrated strategic leadership in planning, maintained financial accountability, and effectively managed devolved functions such as health, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Below is the ranking of the top ten governors as published by Mizani Africa.
1. H.E. Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga County) – 77.6%
Topping the list is Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru. The report assigned her a score of 77.6%, the highest among her peers in the 2025 index. The study attributes high performance in the index to leaders who efficiently translate policy into measurable impacts at the county level.
2. H.E. Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos County) – 75.2%
Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti secured the second position with a performance rating of 75.2%. The index evaluates governors not merely as political figures but as chief executives of public institutions responsible for governance discipline and service outcomes.
3. H.E. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu County) – 73.1%
Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu County was ranked third, achieving a score of 73.1%. The assessment considers citizen perceptions regarding a governor’s ability to coordinate with national agencies and manage county institutions effectively.
4. H.E. Lati Lelelit (Samburu County) – 68.8%
Samburu County Governor Lati Lelelit placed fourth with a score of 68.8%. The report indicates that oversight of early childhood education, water, and sanitation are key components of the evaluation metrics used to determine these rankings.
5. H.E. George Natembeya (Trans-Nzoia County) – 67.3%
Governor George Natembeya of Trans-Nzoia County rounded out the top five with a rating of 67.3%. Mizani Africa noted that the ability to respond to emerging socio-economic challenges is a significant factor in their scoring methodology.
6. H.E. Gladys Wanga (Homabay County) – 66.2%
Gladys Wanga, the Governor of Homabay County, received a score of 66.2%. The rankings reflect evaluations of local economic development initiatives and the general management of county executive departments.
7. H.E. Dr. Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a County) – 66.0%
Murang’a County Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata followed closely in seventh place with 66.0%. The performance index purports to measure the rigour of executive leadership and the soundness of financial management within the county.
8. H.E. Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado County) – 65.4%
Kajiado County Governor Joseph Ole Lenku was ranked eighth with a performance score of 65.4%. The evaluation framework includes assessments of infrastructure development and agricultural support services.
9. H.E. Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi County) – 65.1%
Governor Gideon Mung’aro of Kilifi County took the ninth spot, scoring 65.1%. Mizani Africa emphasizes that the rankings are informed by public evaluations of how well governors execute their core constitutional roles.
10. H.E. Mohamed Adan Khalif (Mandera County) – 61.8%
Completing the top ten list is Mandera County Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif, who received a rating of 61.8%. The index underscores the role of governors in ensuring intergovernmental coordination and the delivery of devolved functions.
Devolution and County Governance in Kenya
Kenya’s 2010 Constitution established a devolved system of government, dividing the country into 47 counties. Each county is led by a Governor, who serves as the Chief Executive, and a Deputy Governor. This structure was designed to decentralize power and resources from the national government to the grassroots level, aiming to improve service delivery and address local inequalities.
Governors are elected officials responsible for the implementation of county legislation, management of county administration, and the delivery of services mandated by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution. These devolved functions include health services, county transport, trade development, county planning, and pre-primary education. They are also responsible for budget preparation and execution, requiring oversight from County Assemblies.
Various organizations, including Mizani Africa, conduct surveys and publish polls to track the performance of these elected officials. These indices typically rely on opinion polling and field research to gauge public satisfaction with service delivery and infrastructure projects. While such rankings provide data on public perception, they are distinct from official government audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor-General.
