Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata has claimed the top spot in the latest Governor Performance Index, according to new data from Infotrak, edging out Trans-Nzoia's George Natembeya after a sharp rise in his approval rating.
The survey shows Kang'ata's rating climbing to 80 percent, up from 68 percent in 2024 and 64 percent in 2023 — a trajectory that has taken him from fourth place three years ago to first this year.
InfoTrak's county performance index 2026
Natembeya, who topped the rankings in 2023 with 70 percent approval, has settled into second place with a rating of 76 percent, having dipped to 64 percent in 2024 before recovering ground.
The biggest mover in this year's index is Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who surged from 29th position in 2023 to third place in 2026. His approval rating rose from 54 percent in 2023 to 71 percent this year, marking one of the sharpest turnarounds in the survey.
Homa Bay's Gladys Wanga and Makueni's Mutula Kilonzo Jr are tied for fourth place, both recording 66 per cent approval.
A three-way tie for sixth place rounds out the middle of the table: Elgeyo Marakwet's Wesley Rotich, Kisumu's Anyang' Nyong'o and West Pokot's Simon Kachapin all posted 65 per cent approval ratings.
Kisii's Simba Arati and Samburu's Jonathan Lelelit are tied for ninth place, each recording 63 percent approval. Lelelit's rise is particularly notable, having climbed from 15th position in 2024 and a 49 per cent rating to break into the top 10 this year with a 14-point jump.
The index tracks governor approval ratings from 2023 through 2026, offering a picture of shifting political fortunes at the county level ahead of the 2027 General Election, with several governors — notably Wamatangi and Lelelit — posting rapid gains.
Northern Kenya governors among most improved
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif recorded the single biggest rise in this year's index, climbing 17 places from 32nd position in 2024 to 15th in 2026 — the sharpest improvement of any governor in the country.
He is followed closely by Wajir's Ahmed Abdullahi, who rose 16 places, from 35th to 19th, and Garissa's Nathif Jama, who gained 14 places, moving from 38th to 24th. Together, the three North Eastern governors take the top three spots on the most-improved list.
