Two governors from Lower Eastern Kenya have emerged among the country’s top county bosses in a new national performance ranking — marking a significant power shift in Ukambani politics — even as one of the counties faces a crippling healthcare crisis.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti ranked 6th nationally with a 47% approval rating, while Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Junior secured the 10th spot with 39.9%, according to a survey released by Timely Kenya on August 15, 2025.
The ranking was dominated by Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, who topped the list at 56.6%, followed closely by Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata (56.4%) and Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga (54%). The survey highlights that women governors are outperforming men, a trend that aligns with Wavinya Ndeti’s strong national position.
The report further shows that first-term governors are performing better than their second-term counterparts, with 61.8% of voters under first-term leaders saying they would re-elect them in 2027 — a promising sign for Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jr. On the other hand, only 22% of citizens under second-term leaders said they would vote for them again in another position.
Despite the positive ranking, Machakos County is currently facing a week-long health crisis, with Machakos Level 5 Hospital operations paralyzed due to a workers’ strike over delayed salaries, inadequate equipment, and poor working conditions. Patients have been left stranded and protests have mounted outside county offices.
“You can’t celebrate high national ratings while your only referral hospital is at a standstill,” lamented a resident outside the hospital on Friday.
Meanwhile, the survey named West Pokot, Kwale, Kiambu, Narok, and Homa Bay as the happiest counties in Kenya, while Nyamira, Kericho, Isiolo, Nairobi, and Bomet ranked lowest in citizen happiness.
Political analysts believe the rankings have cemented Wavinya and Mutula as leading Ukambani figures heading into the 2027 election cycle — potentially redefining the region’s political alliances and influence on the national stage.
