Simba Arati and Kimani Wamatangi Top 2026 Performance Rankings as Public Satisfaction with Governors Plummets

Simba Arati leads Kenya's governor performance rankings at 81%, while a new survey reveals 60% of voters are unwilling to re-elect their current county bosses.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 9:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tuko

Arati and Wamatangi Lead the Devolution Scorecard

The Timely Kenya 2026 Governors Scorecard has identified Kisii Governor Simba Arati as the top-performing county leader in the country, achieving a cumulative score of 81%. He is followed closely by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi at 75.1%. The survey assessed leaders based on their delivery in five critical devolved sectors: Water, Health, Roads, Education, and Agriculture. Other notable high-performers include Ahmed Abdullahi of Wajir (69.4%), Stephen Sang of Nandi (69%), and Mutuma M'Ethingia of Meru (67.4%). These rankings come as political strategies begin to shift ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The "Disconnect" Crisis: Voters Feel Abandoned

Despite the success of a few individuals, the report paints a bleak picture of the relationship between county residents and their elected officials. Data Analyst Elsie Ajode noted a "significant disconnect," with only 30% of respondents reporting any direct interaction with their governor in the past year. This perceived inaccessibility has contributed to a sharp decline in political loyalty; only 40% of Kenyans expressed a willingness to re-elect their current governor. The findings suggest that voters are increasingly demanding tangible service delivery and direct accountability over political rhetoric.

Bottom-Tier Rankings and Service Delivery Failures

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the survey identified several governors struggling to meet public expectations. The worst-performing leaders according to the report include Abdi Ibrahim Guyo (Isiolo), Joseph Ole Lenku (Kajiado), Issah Timamy (Lamu), and James Orengo (Siaya). These counties were characterized by low satisfaction in essential services. Furthermore, Timely Kenya highlighted that first-term governors are generally outperforming their second-term counterparts, who are often viewed as less motivated or hindered by the accumulation of massive pending bills.