Counties in Rift Valley best performing, Infotrak survey shows

Infotrak CEO Angela Ambitho speaking on the performance of counties since devolution began at Panafric Hotel in Nairobi on October 30, 2023. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

Counties from Rift Valley region have been rated as the best performing for the third consecutive year.

Eight counties emerged tops in overall ranking in the latest survey released Monday by Infotrak Research and Consulting.

In the Countytrak Performance Index 2023, Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Markwet tied at 63 percent, followed by Trans Nzoia 62 percent, Kericho 60 percent, Nandi 59 percent, Bomet 55 percent, West Pokot 54 percent and Baringo at 53 per cent.

The counties were rated on twelve core functions of agriculture; health; education; roads and transport; energy; water management, environment and natural resources management; trade and tourism; county planning and development; housing, lands and settlement; culture, sports and social services; and public participation, planing, and management of county resources.

Rift Valley Counties led in agriculture with both Uasin Gishu and ELgeyo Marakwet topping at 63 percent, Trans Nzoia 62 percent, Kericho 60 percent, Nandi 59 percent , West Pokot 57 percent and Bomet 55 percent.

The survey, which had a sample size of 36,200 respondents was conducted between July and August 2023.

On the health function, counties from Rift Valley led the pack. West Pokot led with 58 percent followed by Turkana at 54 percent, Elgeyo Marakwet 53 percent, Trans Nzoia 52 percent, Uasin Gishu 52 percent while Kericho was rated at 51 percent.

Education also saw half of the slots taken by Rift Valley with the other six positions shared by counties from Central, Western and Coast regions.

West Pokot was rated at 63 percent, Elgeyo Marakwet 60 per cent, Kericho 59 percent,Uasin Gishu 58 percent, Bomet 58 percent and Trans Nzoia 58 percent. For counties outside Rift Valley, Murang'a had 60 per cent, Tharaka Nithi 59 per cent, Kwale 58 per cent, Nyandarua 58 per cent, Vihiga 58 per cent, Nyeri 58 per cent and Embu 58 per cent.

According to the survey Trans Nzoia is the most improved county having moved from position 42 last year to third this year. Homabay moved from position 35 to 13 while Baringo from 25 to eighth position.

Residents of the three counties appreciated service delivery in their respective counties that had previously lagged behind.

''This is one way for our county governors to know and understand that appraisal and rating for him is X therefore we can put pressure to know that we are satisfied for those who came in as suavity leaders," said Angela Ambitho, Infotrak's chief executive officer.

''The numbers are saying our residents are not happy about our service delivery. We have to come up with a performance appraisal matrix to ensure that the residences themselves feel that we appreciate what we are doing," she added.