Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka….Photo/ courtesy
By IP Reporter
NAIROBI, Dec. 9, 2025
George Natembeya, governor of Trans Nzoia, may be dreaming of the presidency, but the latest Politrack Africa County Governance Index suggests the road to State House might need more than a “500 KM Road Tarmacking” plan.
The annual survey, which assessed all 47 counties on service delivery, fiscal management, public participation and citizen satisfaction, ranked Natembeya 20th with 50.8%, far from the top five finish expected of a potential presidential contender.
Meanwhile, Kisii’s Simba Arati and Kakamega’s Fernandes Barasa tied at 65%, cementing their place as top performers.
Arati boosted revenue by 178% through digital payments and inaugurated a 300-bed maternal wing, while Barasa revived Mumias Sugar Company and expanded Kakamega Care health services.
Other strong performers included Kirinyaga’s Anne Waiguru (63.2%), Narok’s Patrick Ole Ntutu (62.5%) and Homa Bay’s Gladys Wanga (61.8%).
Analysts noted that counties scoring highest combined visionary planning with tangible citizen benefits—a combination Natembeya seems to be chasing but has yet to fully achieve.
Natembeya’s signature “500 KM Road Tarmacking” plan may have won some applause in Trans Nzoia, but it did little to impress voters nationally.
Political observers joked that while the roads stretch across the county, the governor’s route to the presidency looks even longer.
At the other end, Lusaka, long tipped as a top-five performer, floundered, offering a cautionary tale that aspirations alone don’t translate into results.
Top 20 County Governance Rankings:
1️⃣ Kisii – Simba Arati, 65%
1️⃣ Kakamega – Fernandes Barasa, 65%
3️⃣ Kirinyaga – Anne Waiguru, 63.2%
4️⃣ Narok – Patrick Ole Ntutu, 62.5%
5️⃣ Homa Bay – Gladys Wanga, 61.8%
…
2️⃣0️⃣ Trans Nzoia – George Natembeya, 50.8%
For Natembeya, the takeaway seems clear: before plotting a national campaign, building roads is not enough—governance performance is the real highway to the presidency.
