A new Infotrak survey has ranked Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata as Kenya’s best-performing county boss, placing him at the top of the CountyTrak Performance Index 2026 with an 80 per cent approval rating.
The nationwide assessment also found that Central Kenya produced the highest-rated county leadership, while governors from North Eastern recorded the biggest gains compared to previous rankings.
Kang’ata led the list with an 80 per cent approval score, ahead of Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who ranked second with 76 per cent.
Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi came third after posting a 71 per cent approval rating, reflecting strong public confidence in his administration.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. shared fourth position with 66 per cent. Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wesley Rotich, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin jointly occupied sixth place after each recorded a 65 per cent approval score.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Samburu Governor Jonathan Lelelit completed the top ten with identical approval ratings of 63 per cent.
The report also pointed to major movement in the rankings, especially among counties in the North Eastern region. Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif registered the biggest improvement after rising 17 places from position 32 in 2024 to 15th in 2026.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi climbed 16 places from 35th to 19th, while Garissa Governor Nathif Jama moved up 14 positions to finish among the top 25 governors.
Infotrak noted that “North Eastern governors lead the risers,” with Mandera, Wajir and Garissa recording the strongest improvements in this year’s survey.
On regional performance, Central Kenya emerged as the highest-ranked region. The region was led by Kang’ata’s 80 per cent score, followed by Wamatangi’s 71 per cent and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru’s 58 per cent.
Rift Valley recorded an average regional score of 56 per cent, while Nyanza averaged 57 per cent, making it the only region outside Central and Rift Valley where all the top three governors scored above 60 per cent.
The survey also assessed the performance of county assemblies across the country. Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly emerged as the best-performing legislative assembly with a score of 52 per cent.
Makueni, Baringo and Murang’a County Assemblies shared second place after each scored 51 per cent, while Embu and Nyandarua followed closely with 50 per cent.
Infotrak observed that “Elgeyo Marakwet tops the assemblies at 52% — and all twelve best assemblies sit within a four-point band, none yet clearing the 55%.”
The CountyTrak Performance Index is based on one of the country’s largest county governance perception surveys. According to Infotrak, the 2026 study was conducted between January and May across all 47 counties, covering 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards through interviews with 36,200 respondents.
Each county was treated as an independent survey area, with sample sizes ranging from 600 to 2,000 respondents depending on population size and the number of wards. Information was collected through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and analysed using SPSS.
The survey measured county performance across 12 devolved functions, including health, agriculture, education, roads, water, energy, trade, housing, environment and social services. It used 33 key performance indicators together with five approval rating questions to assess public satisfaction with county governments.