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Education has emerged as the best-performing devolved function in Kenya, with every county scoring at least 50 per cent in the latest Infotrak CountyTrak Performance Index 2026.
The survey, conducted between January and May 2026, gave the education sector an overall score of 50.1 per cent, placing it ahead of all the other 11 devolved functions assessed.
The score marks an improvement from 46 per cent in 2024, although it remains below the 55 per cent recorded in 2023.
The ratings were based on residents' responses to three questions on how they would rate their county governments in providing enough Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres with good facilities and teachers, enough village polytechnics and county technical training institutes and fair issuance of bursaries to needy, vulnerable and gifted children.
Infotrak found that education was the only devolved function in which every county scored at least 50 per cent, placing all 47 counties in the "good" performance band.
Kiambu and Murang'a shared the top position with 61 per cent, followed by Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet at 57 per cent. Taita Taveta ranked fifth with 56 per cent.
Makueni and Kwale scored 55 per cent, while Nandi, West Pokot, Kisii, Kericho and Uasin Gishu each posted 54 per cent.
Tharaka Nithi, Homa Bay, Nyeri and Samburu followed on 53 per cent, ahead of Kisumu and Embu at 52 per cent.
Baringo, Kirinyaga, Mombasa, Kitui and Machakos each scored 51 per cent.
Kilifi, Nakuru, Bungoma and Bomet occupied the last position, tied on 50 per cent.
Overall, 27 of the 47 counties — more than half — attained the "good" band of 50 per cent and above, underscoring education's standing as the highest-rated county function.
Kiambu posted one of the survey's standout performances after registering a 13-point jump from 48 per cent in 2024 to 61 per cent in 2026, propelling the county from 29th place in 2023 to share the first spot.
The survey also noted that every county in the top five recorded 56 per cent or higher, well above the national average.
The five most improved counties between 2024 and 2026 were:
- Nandi, up 24 places from 32 to 8.
- Machakos, up 17 places from 36 to 19.
- Kericho, up 13 places from 21 to 8.
- Kajiado, up 12 places from 43 to 31.
- Garissa, up 12 places from 43 to 31.
The report observed that Nandi and Kericho both broke into the top 10, while Kajiado and Garissa also made notable gains after rising 12 positions each.
Regional leaders
Regionally, Central topped the education index with 54 per cent, followed by the Rift Valley (49 per cent) and the Coast (47 per cent).
Nyanza and Western each scored 46 per cent, Eastern 45 per cent, while Nairobi and North Eastern shared the last position on 41 per cent.
Infotrak said citizens' perceptions of county performance are closely linked to how public resources are managed and distributed.
"This does not mean the rating is an audit of public expenditure. It is not. But citizens form impressions about stewardship: whether resources seem to reach communities, whether benefits appear fairly distributed, and whether leaders are perceived as protecting public interest."
Survey methodology
Infotrak said the CountyTrak Performance Index 2026 was conducted between January and May 2026, covering all 47 counties, 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards, with an overall sample of 36,200 respondents.
Each county was treated as an independent universe and assigned a cluster sample ranging from 600 to 2,000 respondents, depending on population size and the number of wards.
Sampling was guided by census data and demographic characteristics including age and gender.
Data was collected through Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI) and analysed using SPSS.
