Youthful MPs have emerged in most top positions, with higher performance ratings than their older counterparts, in a recent opinion poll whose impact could shape the perception of the next election.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was rated the most hardworking legislator by seven in every 10 voters from all the wards in his constituency, an equivalent of 72 per cent.

He was closely followed by his Kiharu counterpart, Ndindi Nyoro, who got a 71 per cent performance score while Joseph Kalasinga (Kabuchai) and Robert Mbui (Kathiani) managed 62 per cent each.

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba was in the lead among female legislators representing single constituencies and the only woman MP among 12 lawmakers who scored an over 60 per cent performance rating.

Wamuchomba tied with Sirisia’s John Waluke, Peter Salasya (Mumias East) and Erastus Kavisu from Mbooni, who all garnered a 61 per cent performance approval.

Others who were above the 60 per cent mark were Wundanyi’s Danson Mwakuwona, John Bwire (Taveta), Caleb Amisi from Saboti and the Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu.

Humbling moment
“I know what it means to go hungry and for that reason, I take it upon myself a responsibility that is both inherent and inalienable to ensure that I serve the great people of Embakasi East constituency, the people of Nairobi and all Kenyans. I really appreciate the fact that you respected me, you recognised me as a top-performing Member of Parliament,” an elated Owino said.

Kirinyaga County produced two top performers as the area Woman Representative Njeri Maina was positively ranked by half of the county residents similar to area senator, Kamau Murango.

“I’m very humbled to be voted in for the second consecutive time as the best performing woman Member of Parliament in Kenya. I believe it is because I have served and continue to serve with humility and continue to engage the people of Kirinyaga County in every decision that I make,” Njeri said.

Senator Murango tied with his Makueni counterpart Dan Maanzo in their category with 52 per cent followed Joe Nyutu from Murang’a and Okiyah Omtata (Busia) with 50 per cent each.

Other top-performing senators were Nyandarua’s John Methu and Kisii’s Richard Onyonka both of whom scored 49 per cent, Kitui’s Enoch Wambua and Vihiga’s Godfrey Osotsi with 48 per cent, Lamu’s Joseph Githuku, Kericho’s Aaron Cheruiyot and Kisumu’s Tom Ojienda each with 47 per cent.

Data released by Infotrak showed that senators were lowly-ranked as the score of 17 of the top performers ranged between 45 and 52 per cent.
The list also included Kiambu’s Karungo Thang’wa and Nandi’s Samson Cherarkey with 46 per cent, Kilifi’s Stewart Madzayo, Homa Bay’s Moses Kajwang’, Kakamega’s Boni Khalwale and Nairobi’s Edwin Sifuna, all with 45 per cent each.

“The current index was conducted between October and December 2024, covering all 47 counties, 290 constituencies and 1450 wards with an overall sample of 59,600. Each constituency was treated as an individual universe and assigned a cluster sample which ranged between 200 and 451 respondents,” Infotrak Chief Executive Officer Angela Ambitho said.

Under the Woman Rep category two-time winner Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga) was followed by Makueni’s Rose Museo and Homa Bay’s Joyce Bensouda with 46 per cent each, Kakamega’s Elsie Muhanda with 45 per cent, West Pokot’s Rael Kasiwai and Kisumu’s Ruth Odinga with 43 per cent each.

The list also comprises Lamu’s Monicah Muthoni, Tharaka Nithi’s Susan Ngugi, Turkana’s Cecilia Ngitit and Kisii’s Dorice Donya with 41 per cent each.

Kilifi’s Gertrude Mbeyu, Taita Taveta’s Lydia Haika, Kwale’s Fatuma Hamisi and Machakos Kamene Joyce got a rating of 40 per cent each.

Undefined roles
Ambitho linked the declining performance rating for women representatives compared to other elective seats to a lack of clear roles and responsibilities in public perception, limited visibility and engagement with constituents and lack of awareness about their achievements and initiatives

Homa Bay Woman Rep Joyce Bensouda urged Parliament to allocate more funds to their offices so that they create projects that will amplify their roles to the public under the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

“NGAAF is not a flower girl position. We are representing the people, and you cannot represent without resources. You cannot represent without scaling the financial, the human resource, technical resource, and the like,” Bensouda said.

Among the most improved MPs in Nairobi were Embakasi North’s James Gakuya, Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands), Samuel Mwenje of Embakasi West and Mejadonk Gathiru (Embakasi Central).

In Migori, Uriri MP Mark Nyamita beat six other MPs to be ranked top a performing lawmaker.

“The tool is basically meant to give you that interface between what your electorate has given you as your performance rating so that you understand, not at the end of the cycle when you’re going to look for their votes, but midway. I think all of you actually very keen to ensure that we have a better country,” Ambitho told the MPs.