Babu Owino, Ndindi Nyoro and Kirinyaga Leaders Top Infotrak Nationwide Approval Survey

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has recorded the highest approval rating among Members of Parliament in Infotrak's latest nationwide leaders' performance survey. 

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri Maina also ranked among the best-performing elected leaders. The Infotrak CountyTrak Elected Leaders Performance Index, released on Wednesday, measures how Kenyans rate the performance of elected leaders across all 47 counties. 

The survey assesses public perceptions of MPs, senators and women representatives based on respondents' experiences rather than legislative records or parliamentary attendance. Participants rated leaders on a scale of one to ten, from very poor to excellent.

Babu Owino received an approval rating of 80 percent, the highest among MPs. Kabuchai MP Joseph Kalasinga followed with 78 percent, while Ndindi Nyoro and Taveta MP John Okano Bwire shared third place with 76 per cent each.

Kirinyaga Senator Kamau Murango led the senate rankings with an approval rating of 69 percent. Nyandarua Senator John Methu ranked second with 68 percent, followed by Murang'a Senator Joel Nyutu on 65 percent. 

Nandi Senator Samson Cherarkey scored 64 percent, while Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot received 63 percent. Baringo Senator Vincent Kiprono, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo each recorded 62 per cent. Samburu Senator Steve Lelegwe and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna followed with 61 per cent.

Jane Njeri Maina was the highest-rated woman representative with an approval rating of 67 per cent. West Pokot Woman Representative Rael Chepkemoi Kasiwai ranked second with 61 percent, followed by Samburu Woman Representative Pauline Lenguris on 60 per cent. 

Kakamega Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda and Makueni Woman Representative Rose Museo Mumo each scored 58 percent, while Turkana Woman Representative Cecilia Asinyen Ngitit received 56 per cent. Nandi Woman Representative Cynthia Jepkosgei Muge recorded 55 percent, and Homa Bay Woman Representative Bensuda Joyce Atieno Osogo scored 54 percent.

Infotrak Chief Executive Angela Ambitho said the survey measures public opinion rather than providing a formal assessment of elected leaders. She said the findings reflect how citizens experience leadership in their daily lives rather than evaluating parliamentary performance through technical measures.

"The rating does not create public opinion. It measures it," Ms Ambitho said. 

She added that respondents assess leaders based on accessibility, responsiveness, communication, visibility, trust and stewardship of public resources. She said keeping campaign promises remains the strongest factor influencing public approval. According to Ms Ambitho, voters continue to compare leaders' public commitments with the progress they can see after elections.

"Citizens remember what leaders said they would do. A promise may be made during a campaign, repeated at a public meeting, announced through media or reinforced through community expectations. When citizens later assess performance, they compare public commitments with visible outcomes. They do not expect every promise to be fulfilled immediately, but they expect seriousness, follow-through and evidence of effort," she said.

Ms Ambitho also said transparency and accountability play a significant role in shaping public confidence. She noted that leaders who explain their decisions, account for public resources and remain accessible to the public generally receive stronger ratings.

The survey found that visible development projects continue to influence public opinion, particularly at constituency level. Although MPs are responsible for legislation, oversight and representation, many respondents associated their performance with projects funded through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, including school infrastructure, bursaries and community facilities. 

The survey also found that leaders who maintain regular contact with residents and communicate their work effectively tend to receive higher approval ratings.

Regional results showed Babu Owino ranked highest among MPs in Nairobi, while Ndindi Nyoro led in Central Kenya. 

John Okano Bwire topped the Coast region, Erastus Kivasu Nzioka led Eastern Kenya, Joseph Kalasinga ranked first in Western Kenya, and Mark Nyamita recorded the highest rating in Nyanza. In the Rift Valley, Reuben Kiborek, Gideon Kimaiyo, Nelson Koech and Naisula Lesuuda shared the top position with identical ratings. Adan Keynan was the highest-rated MP in North Eastern Kenya.

Among senators, Kamau Murango ranked first in Central Kenya, Dan Maanzo led Eastern Kenya, Samson Cherarkey topped the Rift Valley, Godfrey Osotsi ranked highest in Western Kenya, Richard Onyonka led Nyanza, Ali Roba topped North Eastern, and Edwin Sifuna recorded the highest rating in Nairobi. Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana and Lamu Senator Joseph Githuku shared the highest ranking in the Coast region.

Ms Ambitho said public understanding of the role of women representatives remains limited because their constitutional responsibilities focus mainly on advocacy and representation rather than infrastructure projects. She said this makes it more difficult for women representatives to demonstrate their impact through highly visible projects.

The survey was conducted between January and May and covered all 47 counties, 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards. Infotrak interviewed 87,286 respondents through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews. The study began with 36,200 participants and was expanded by a further 51,086 interviews to ensure each constituency had at least 300 respondents. 

The sample was based on population distribution using census data and included demographic factors such as age and gender. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The survey was conducted at a 95 percent confidence level, with county-level margins of error ranging from ±1.37 percent in Nairobi to ±3.61 percent in Lamu.

The findings show that voters continue to place significant importance on visible service delivery, accountability and regular engagement with communities when assessing the performance of elected leaders.