Achani of Kwale County Named Best Performing Governor

Kwale County Governor Fatma Achani has been polled as the best performing county boss in the country in a latest released survey. 

The governor scooped 56.6% percent from a survey conducted by Timely Kenya. The survey underscores governor’s three year score card. 

The pollster rank Murang’a Governor Irungu Kanga’ta second with 56.4% percent while the Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga sits at the third position with 54% percent.

Dr Kimani Wamatangi of Kiambu is placed fourth with 53.3% percent and Kajiado governor Stephen Ole Ntutu got 52.8% percent. 

Machakos governor Wavinja Ndeti occupies sixth position with 47% while Trans-Nzoia governor George Natembeye follows closely with 45.5 % percent and Makueni governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior polls 39.9% in the survey. 

Meanwhile, 61% of Kenyans say they will re-elect the current governors in the upcoming 2027 polls while 38% of respondents believe that fresh leadership could bring faster progress. 

The survey by Timely, also indicated that voters believe first term governors lead better. 

“First term governors show stronger performance compared to those serving a second term, indicating fresh leadership advantages,” reads the report. 

Governor Achani is serving her first term as county boss having been elected in 2022 in Kenya Kwanza ticket after a stint of 10 years a deputy governor.

The survey conducted between August 3rd and 11th, 2025, shows that women governors have excelled in performance. 

“The women governors consistently outperform their male counterparts in delivering effective leadership and results,” says the polls. 

Kwale also featured among the top five happiest counties and others are Narok, Homa Bay, West Pokot and Kiambu counties. 

Nairobi, Bomet, Kericho, Isiolo and Nyamira are the least happiest counties in the country according to the survey. 

Sixty percent of the respondents are based in rural areas with 40% living in counties’ towns and cities.

Timely Kenya surveyed all 47 counties on their performance in health, water, roads and education. 

According to the pollster, majority of respondents fell between 36 and 50 years old. Young adults on the age-group of 18-35 also took part in the polling.

On education level, 45% of respondents have secondary level education, 40% have tertiary level education and 15 % have primary level of education.

Notably, most respondents were female at 55% and males 45% as par the surveyor: Timely Kenya.

Corruption was cited as a major challenge to devolution from its hindrance to progress and development.

The pollster also noted that early 2027 politics has negatively impacted counties causing delays and disruption in development efforts across several counties.

The survey interviewed 4,805 respondents with a +-1 margin of error.