The poll by research firm Infotrak measured public perception of the lawmakers' effectiveness in representation, legislation and oversight; effectively confirming their strong grassroots support.
The findings signal what is likely to be fiercely contested county races that would put some incumbent governors in a tight corner
Other parameters included delivery of promises, visible development, accessibility, transparency and accountability, public funds stewardship and media visibility.
Barasa is contesting for governor in Bungoma while Nyamita is running against Governor Ochilo Ayacko in Migori.
Ali wants to become the governor in Mombasa while Ochieng is seeking to unseat Siaya Governor James Orengo.
Melly is contesting for the top county job in Nandi, Ruth and Oron in Kisumu, Muhanda in Kakamega, Milemba in Vihiga and Makali in Kitui.
Many senators eyeing the gubernatorial job also emerged among the best performing lawmakers.
They include Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga), Richard Onyonko (Kisii), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Tom Ojienda (Kisumu) and Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo)
The findings have handed the aspiring governors a political
boost, providing fresh ammunition as they seek to convince voters that their
performance in Parliament can be replicated at the county level.
The highly ranked legislators now carry the advantage of an
independently measured performance record, which could resonate with voters
increasingly demanding accountability and tangible results from elected
leaders.
The nationwide survey was conducted between January and May
2026 in all the 290 constituencies and the 1,450 wards in the country.
The overall sample size stood at 87,286 respondents and each
county assigned between 738 and 5100 respondents depending on the population
strength.
The survey had 95 per cent confidence level.
Data was collected through Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI)
and analysed using SPSS.
Respondents rated their MPs, senators and Woman representatives on a scale
of one to 10, with the average constituency score determining each leader's
overall performance.
"Members of Parliament have a constitutional role to
represent their constituencies, legislate and exercise oversight. Yet in public
perception, MPs are also closely associated with local development because of
the visibility of NG-CDF-funded projects such as bursaries, classrooms, school
infrastructure and community facilities," the report said.
While the rankings offer a strong endorsement of individual
performance, gubernatorial elections are often shaped by wider political
considerations, including party strength, regional alliances, ethnic arithmetic
and campaign resources.
For the governor hopefuls who featured prominently in the
survey, the latest ratings offer more than just bragging rights, they provide
an early vote of confidence that could shape the political conversation in
their respective counties over the coming months.
However, university don Prof. Gitile Naituli caution that
translating popularity in a parliamentary constituency into county-wide
electoral success remains a formidable challenge.
“Opinion poll will not help the hopefuls, Parliament has
gotten a bad name as branch of the Executive,” Prof. Naituli told the Star.
Nationally, the ranking had Babu Owino as best-performing Member of Parliament followed by Majimbo Kalasinga (Kabuchai),
Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), John Bwire (Taveta), Lesuuda Naisula (Samburu West), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili) and Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio).
Others in the top 15 included Gideon Kipkoech (Keiyo South),
Nelson Koech (Belgut), John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Marianne Kitany (Aldai),
Peter Salasysa (Mumias East), Jacksson Lekumontare (Samburu East), Danson
Mwashako (Wundanyi), Erastus Nzioka (Mbooni), Omar Mwinyi (Changmwe) and Walter
Owino (Awendo).
In the senate, Kamau Murango (Kirinyaga) emerged top followed
by John Methu (Nyandarua), Joel Nyutu (Murang’a), Samson Cherargei (Nandi), Aaron
Cheruiyot (Kericho), Vincent Kiprono (Baringo), Richard Onyonka (Kisii) and Dan
Maanzo (Makueni).
Other senators who ranked top were Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi),
Steve Lelegwe (Samburu), Ali Roba (Mandera), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), Julius
Murgor (West Pokot), Hillary Sigei (Bomet) and Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu).
From the study, top performing Women Representatives are Jane
Maina (Kirinyaga), Rael Kasiwai (West Pokot), Pauline Lenguris (Samburu), Elsie
Muhanda (Kakamega), Rose Mumo (Makueni), Cecilia Ngitit (Turkana), Cynthia Muge
(Nandi), Bensuda Osogo (Homa Bay), Irene Kasalu (Kitui).
Also in the list of top performing Women MPs are Susan Nduyo
(Tharaka Nithi), Umul Ker (Mandera), Pamela Njeru (Embu), Joyce Kamene (Machakos),
Caroline Jeptoo (Elgeyo Marakwet), Leah Sankairo (Kajiado) and Linet Chepkorir
(Bomet)
The rankings also come at a time when political activity is
intensifying across the country, with aspirants quietly building campaign
structures and positioning themselves ahead of the official launch of the 2027
election season.
“I am ranked at the top because of what I have been doing to
my people. I sponsored coffee bill that brought reforms. I sponsored bill to
remove section 43 of Agriculture and Food Authority that hurt macadamia farmers,”
Murango told the Star.
“I mediated coffee and sugar bill. I led Kirinyaga
leaders to court to oppose importation of rice so that we can protect local farmers.
Finally, I led the idea that saw marginalised counties get Sh4.4 billion affirmative
allocation in the revenue sharing formula.”
The rankings also categorised MPs’s performance based on
their respective regions giving voters ease to compare how their neighbours are
faring ahead of the elections.
In the Rift Valley, Koech emerged among the region's best performers
alongside Reuben Kiborek, Gideon Kimaiyo and Naisula Lesuuda,
all of whom attained ratings above 70 per cent.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga topped the Western region with 78 per cent,
ahead of Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa (73 per cent) and Mumias East MP Peter
Salasya (72 per cent).
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka ranked fourth with 70 per cent, while Emuhaya
MP Omboko Milemba and Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali tied on 69 per cent.
In Nairobi, Babu led the rankings with 80 per cent, followed by Westlands MP
Tim Wanyonyi (65 per cent), Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru Mejjadonk (63
per cent) and Embakasi North MP James Gakuya (61 per cent).
Uriri MP Mark Nyamita emerged as Nyanza's top performer with 71 per cent.
He was followed by Awendo MP John Walter Owino, Suna West MP Peter Masara
and Ugenya's David Ochieng, who each scored 70 per cent, while Alego
Usonga MP Samuel Atandi recorded 68 per cent.
At the Coast, Taveta MP John Bwire led with 76 per cent, ahead of Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako (72 per cent), Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi (70 per cent) and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali (69 per cent). Rabai MP Anthony Kenga completed the regional top five with 65 per cent.
In the Eastern region, Mbooni MP Erastus Nzioka ranked first with 71 per
cent.
He was followed by Kathiani MP Robert Mbui and Chuka/Igambang'ombe MP
Patrick Munene, who both scored 70 per cent, while Kitui Central MP
Makali Mulu registered a score of 68 per cent.
Nyoro led Central region with 73 per cent, alongside Mukurweini MP John
Kaguchia, who posted the same score.
They were followed by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah (70 per cent), the late Ol
Kalou MP David Kiaraho (64 per cent), and Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia and Kigumo
MP Joseph Munyoro, who both scored 63 per cent.
In the North Eastern region, Eldas MP Adan Keynan topped the rankings with
63 per cent, followed by Lafey MP Mohamed Abdi (62 per cent), Mandera East MP
Mohamed Abdirahman (61 per cent) and Banissa MP Ahmed Maalim Hassan (60 per
cent).
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The report hands the aspirants the advantage of leveraging
their parliamentary record as evidence of their leadership credentials and
development track record.
