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Infotrak CountyTrak 2026: Murang'a Sweeps as Dr. Philip Kisia Issues "Kamiti Express" Warnings Over Resource Crises

Author

Gerald Kombo
August 04, 2026

NAIROBI, KENYA - The highly anticipated CountyTrak Performance Index 2026 by Infotrak Research & Consulting has officially been released, offering the most comprehensive, data-driven snapshot of Kenya's devolution landscape today. Surveying 36,200 respondents across all 47 counties and 1,450 wards between January and May 2026, the report highlights massive triumphs in Mt. Kenya, a systemic crisis in the Western region, and fiery warnings for corrupt leaders.

Murang'a and Kang'ata Sweep the Board

The 2026 data cements Murang'a County as the gold standard for devolved governance. This institutional success is directly mirrored in the governor approval ratings, where H.E. Dr. Irungu Kang'ata (Murang'a) emerged as the best-performing county chief in the nation, scoring an impressive 80%.

The Top 5 Governors of 2026:

  • Hon. Irungu Kang'ata (Murang'a): 80%

  • Hon. George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia): 76%

  • Hon. Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu): 71%

  • Hon. Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay): 66% (Tied)

  • Hon. Mutula Kilonzo Jr. (Makueni): 66% (Tied)

Sectors: Education Soars, Public Participation Sinks

According to the latest findings, Education emerged as the best-performing devolved function nationally. Kiambu and Murang'a tied for the top spot at 61%.

Conversely, Public Participation remains the Achilles' heel of devolution. The function registered a dismal national mean of 33.1%. Only Elgeyo Marakwet (51%) managed to break the halfway mark.

The Western Kenya Crisis: Dr. Philip Kisia Speaks Out

While the national outlook is largely optimistic with 75% of Kenyans endorsing devolutionWestern Kenya is facing a steep decline. The region dropped to 6th out of 8 regions nationally, and its health sector ranked dead last with a 39% approval rating.

In a revealing follow-up interview addressing the index, Dr. Philip Kisia expanded on the region's dual crisis of national neglect and local mismanagement.

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"If you look at the resources that have been applied to western Kenya for the last four years, compared to other regions is minimal. So this administration has not been kind to the people of western Kenya. We've been starved of resources."

Dr. Kisia did not spare the region's local leaders either, adding a sharp critique of their financial stewardship:

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"But number two, even the meager resources that we've been given by the national government, they have not been spent well by those who are in charge. So those are the two factors that I think of."

The "Kamiti Express" Warning

During the official launch event, Dr. Kisia further electrified the room by challenging leaders to look past statistics and embrace a "Happy Index". He reminded the audience that "residents don't eat buildings, residents don't eat roads. Residents should be happy."

Dr. Kisia did not hold back on the issue of rampant corruption. He issued a fierce, unvarnished warning to underperforming officials, stating that the incoming administration will not hesitate to transfer corrupt male leaders to the "Kamiti Express" maximum-security facility, while female offenders will be booked on the "Langata Express."

He captured the growing public intolerance for poor governance by quoting Mark Twain:

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"Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."

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