Kenya’s CountyTrak 2024 Performance Index: Murang’a, Homabay, and Trans Nzoia Lead in County Development.

Angela Ambitho, Founder and CEO of Infotrak Research and consulting
Nairobi, Kenya.

The CountyTrak 2024 Performance Index, a comprehensive study by Infotrak Research, has revealed the latest rankings and public perceptions of county governments in Kenya. The survey, conducted between October and December 2024, covered all 47 counties, 290 constituencies, and 1,450 wards, with a total of 36,200 respondents. This index serves as a citizen-driven assessment of county performance, evaluating key devolved functions such as healthcare, education, agriculture, transport, water management, trade, and governance.

Murang’a, Homabay, and Trans Nzoia emerged as the top-performing counties in multiple categories, reinforcing their strong governance and development initiatives. Murang’a County performed exceptionally well, ranking first in education, health, water management, trade, and housing. Homabay also showed remarkable progress, leading in healthcare, roads, and sports development. Trans Nzoia, on the other hand, topped the environmental conservation and agriculture categories, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development and food security.

The study also assessed public perception regarding the impact of devolution, with 68% of Kenyans stating that their counties have improved since the system was introduced in 2013. However, this marks a slight decline from 73% in 2020, indicating that while progress has been made, there is still room for improvement. The level of satisfaction varies significantly across counties. Murang’a (87%), Homabay (79%), and Kisumu (78%) had the highest percentage of residents who believe their counties have improved, while Nyamira (48%) and Nandi (50%) recorded the lowest levels of satisfaction.

In the healthcare sector, Homabay was rated the best-performing county, followed by Murang’a and Kirinyaga. These counties scored highly in access to medical services, infrastructure development, and public health initiatives, including sanitation and disease prevention programs. Similarly, in education, Murang’a County led in Early Childhood Development (ECD) and vocational training facilities, while Homabay and Trans Nzoia also performed well, particularly in bursary allocations and school infrastructure.

Agriculture, a critical sector for food security and economic stability, saw Murang’a and Trans Nzoia lead the rankings. These counties have implemented policies that support farmers by improving access to markets, managing livestock diseases, and ensuring better food distribution systems. Roads and transport infrastructure were also a key focus of the index, with Homabay and Murang’a ranking highest in road network improvements, traffic management, and street lighting initiatives. These developments have significantly enhanced connectivity and economic activities within these regions.

The report also assessed trade and tourism performance, highlighting Murang’a and Homabay as the most business-friendly counties. Their efforts in market development, investment attraction, and tourism promotion have positioned them as key economic hubs. However, despite these positive strides, the report identified several persistent challenges, including corruption, inefficiencies in public resource management, and disparities in service delivery across counties.

Counties in North Eastern Kenya, such as Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera, ranked lower in most performance indicators, reflecting ongoing struggles with infrastructure development, governance, and public service delivery. These regions continue to face significant challenges in areas such as healthcare access, education, and economic development, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to bridge the gap between high- and low-performing counties.

The CountyTrak 2024 Performance Index serves as a crucial tool for policymakers, county administrators, and development partners, providing data-driven insights that can inform future policy decisions. With the 2025 budget cycle approaching, county governments are expected to prioritize addressing weaknesses identified in the report while building on their strengths. The findings also underscore the importance of citizen engagement in governance, as public perception remains a key measure of a county’s success.

As devolution continues to shape Kenya’s governance landscape, the results of this report provide a roadmap for counties to refine their strategies, improve service delivery, and enhance public trust in local governments. Moving forward, increased transparency, better resource management, and targeted development programs will be essential in ensuring all counties meet the expectations of their residents and contribute to national growth.

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