Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu Recognized as Top First-Time County Boss

Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has been awarded the title of best-performing first-time county governor in Kenya, according to a recent survey conducted by Politrack Africa. This recognition comes as a result of an analysis that assessed the performance of first-time governors across 28 counties after approximately two years in office.

The survey revealed that a remarkable 78.6% of residents in Narok would vote to re-elect Ntutu if elections were held today. This strong approval rating reflects the confidence that the people of Narok have in their leader. Following him closely is Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, who enjoys a 75.4% approval rating from his constituents. Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii is third on the list, with 72.1% of voters supporting his leadership.

The survey also highlighted the performance of female governors. Gladys Wanga, the governor of Homa Bay, and Wavinya Ndeti from Machakos secured fourth and fifth places, with approval ratings of 70.1% and 68.4%, respectively. Their inclusion in the top five underscores the increasing recognition of women in political leadership roles in Kenya.

David Gitonga, a researcher at Politrack Africa, emphasized that while the overall performance ratings were slightly positive, no governor received a significantly above-average score. The analysis looked at various key areas, including how well governors implemented automated revenue collection, engaged with the public, and complied with the County Governments Act of 2012. It also evaluated governors' performance satisfaction and the amount of own-source revenue raised.

Despite the generally positive outlook, Gitonga noted that many governors might face challenges in seeking re-election. The survey indicated that only 18.1% of the public believes that the new government, which includes leaders from the ODM party, will make significant changes. Meanwhile, 21.3% think the broader political coalition will fail, and another 17.3% remain undecided.

The survey was conducted between September 10 and September 17, 2024, using data collected through telephone interviews with a sample of 5,800 respondents from various counties. Secondary data from the Office of the Controller of Budget and the Auditor General also supported the findings.

Gitonga mentioned that as these first-time governors gain experience, there is potential for improvements in their performance over the next two years. If current trends continue, about half of the governors may be in a favorable position for re-election, while the other half may face difficulties.