Survey ranks Mutua, Oparanya as the best performing governors
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua tops the list of best performing county chiefs in the latest survey by United Kingdom-based firm, All Africa Advisors (AAA).
Conversely, his embattled Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu received the most dismal approval ratings from his constituents compared to his peers.
At the same time, nearly half of Kenyans believe devolution has failed at 49 per cent with those giving thumbs up to the decentralised economic model standing at 51 per cent.
Mutua was ranked the best followed by Kakamega’s Wycliffe Oparanya, Nairobi’s Mike Sonko, Makueni’s Prof. Kivutha Kibwana and Mombasa’s Hassan Joho taking the fifth spot.
Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki was ranked the best governor in Central/Mt Kenya region owing to development projects he has initiated over the last year.
Deliver more
“Infrastructure development is the top most priority for most constituents, and has the highest impact on satisfaction levels and perception of county government effectiveness,” said AAA senior consultant Harris Julian.
Public Participation— in identification of priority projects, delivery and sustainability of initiatives— especially with focus on the youth and women was also key in the grading.
“Ability to self-generate revenue enables counties to deliver more services and infrastructure,” said the officer when he released the survey in Nairobi, yesterday.
Also leading from behind are governors Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia) and Fahim Twaha (Lamu).
Kisumu’s Anyang’ Nyong’o is ranked 20th among the 47 county bosses with a net score of negative six.
He is, however, the third-best governor in Nyanza behind Zachary Okoth Obado of Migori (seventh nationally with a net performance of 62) and Kisii Governor James Ongwae (eighth nationally) with a net performance of 49).
The county chiefs were ranked based on their performance on key areas such as health.
The study involved three facets including a self-assessment questionnaire modelled on European Union and New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) assessment tools, a field verification and investigation study, and public opinion poll on county performance.
