Kenya’s devolved units have become engines of transformation, and at the helm of this progress are visionary governors reshaping their counties. A new Kenya Track Survey released on September 17, 2025, crowns Kirinyaga’s Anne Waiguru, Murang’a’s Irungu Kang’ata, and Kisii’s Simba Arati as the country’s top three performing governors, each celebrated for bold reforms and people-centred leadership.
Governor Anne Waiguru continues to set the pace in Kirinyaga, championing women’s empowerment and spearheading agricultural value chains that uplift farmers’ incomes. Through her Wezesha agribusiness initiative, rice and coffee farmers are thriving, while healthcare modernization and youth skills training have reinforced her reputation as a trailblazer in inclusive development.
In Murang’a, Governor Irungu Kang’ata has made water access a hallmark of his leadership, rolling out mega projects that bring clean water to thousands of households. His innovative Kang’ata Care program has also transformed healthcare access by providing comprehensive medical and welfare cover to vulnerable families, while extensive road and market projects have boosted trade and mobility.
Meanwhile, Kisii Governor Simba Arati is winning praise for his decisive fight against corruption in county offices, ensuring accountability and efficient service delivery. His investments in roads and markets are strengthening local trade, while the Simba Education Fund is giving needy students a lifeline into tertiary and higher education. Arati’s youth-centered programs in housing and entrepreneurship have positioned him as a governor deeply committed to the next generation.
Beyond the top three, other governors are also leaving a strong mark. Trans Nzoia’s George Natembeya is enhancing food security with large-scale maize programs, while Makueni’s Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. is pushing climate adaptation and universal health coverage through Makueni Care. From Nandi’s Stephen Sang investing in sports and farmer empowerment, to Kwale’s Fatuma Achani championing women and youth enterprises, counties across the nation are seeing tangible results from devolved governance.
The survey underscores one truth: where leadership is visionary, devolution delivers. Whether through improved healthcare, stronger agricultural value chains, or bold investments in education and infrastructure, governors are demonstrating that accountability and innovation can transform livelihoods.
As Waiguru, Kang’ata, and Arati lead the way in 2025, they set a benchmark for county leadership, reminding Kenyans that devolution works best when leaders put people first.
