- Education has emerged as the best-performing devolved function in Kenya, with all 47 counties attaining a good performance rating in the latest Infotrak CountyTrak Performance Index 2026.
- The survey attributes the strong performance to increased investment in ECDE, technical training and bursary programmes.
- Kiambu and Murang’a jointly lead the national rankings, while several counties recorded significant improvements over the past two years.
Education has been ranked as the best-performing function under Kenya’s devolved system of government, with every county attaining a “good” performance rating in the latest Infotrak CountyTrak Performance Index 2026.
The nationwide survey paints a positive picture of county governments’ growing investment in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), technical and vocational training, and bursary programmes, placing education ahead of all the other eleven devolved functions assessed.
According to the report, the education sector attained an overall national score of 50.1 per cent, marking an improvement from 46 per cent recorded in 2024. Although the latest rating remains below the 55 per cent achieved in 2023, it confirms a steady recovery in public confidence regarding county governments’ delivery of education services.
Notably, education became the only devolved function in which all 47 counties surpassed the 50 per cent threshold, earning each county a place in the “good performance” category.
Kiambu and Murang’a lead the country
Kiambu and Murang’a counties jointly emerged as Kenya’s highest-performing counties in education after each recording an impressive 61 per cent score.
The two counties were followed by Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet, which each scored 57 per cent, while Taita Taveta rounded off the top five with 56 per cent.
Other counties that registered strong performances included Makueni and Kwale, each scoring 55 per cent.
A second group comprising West Pokot, Nandi, Kisii, Kericho and Uasin Gishu followed closely with 54 per cent, reflecting sustained investment in county education programmes.
Meanwhile, Tharaka Nithi, Homa Bay, Nyeri and Samburu each attained 53 per cent, while Kisumu and Embu scored 52 per cent.
Baringo, Kirinyaga, Mombasa, Kitui and Machakos each recorded 51 per cent, whereas Kilifi, Nakuru, Bungoma and Bomet completed the rankings with 50 per cent.
The findings indicate that more than half of Kenya’s counties achieved scores above the national average, reinforcing education as the strongest-performing responsibility under county governments.
Significant improvement across counties
The survey also highlighted remarkable improvements made by several counties over the past two years.
Nandi County recorded the biggest leap nationally after climbing 24 places, rising from position 32 in the previous ranking to eighth place in 2026.
Machakos County advanced 17 positions, while Kericho improved by 13 places to join the country’s top-performing counties.
Both Kajiado and Garissa also registered significant progress, each moving up 12 places, demonstrating growing public confidence in their education programmes and service delivery.
Among the biggest success stories was Kiambu County, whose score rose by 13 percentage points, increasing from 48 per cent in 2024 to 61 per cent in 2026. The improvement propelled the county from 29th place in 2024 to jointly occupy the national top position.
Infotrak further observed that every county in the top five recorded scores of 56 per cent or higher, considerably exceeding the national average.
Central Kenya tops regional rankings
At the regional level, Central Kenya emerged as the country’s best-performing region in education with an average score of 54 per cent.
The Rift Valley followed with 49 per cent, while the Coast region recorded 47 per cent.
Both Nyanza and Western regions scored 46 per cent, ahead of Eastern, which posted 45 per cent.
Nairobi and North Eastern recorded the lowest regional averages, each scoring 41 per cent.
The education index was based on residents’ assessment of county governments in three critical areas.
Respondents evaluated whether counties had established adequate Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres equipped with quality infrastructure and sufficient teachers.
The survey also examined public satisfaction with the availability of village polytechnics and county technical training institutions, as well as the fairness and transparency in the allocation of bursaries to needy, vulnerable and academically gifted learners.
According to Infotrak, the survey measured public perception rather than financial accountability.
The research firm noted that while the findings do not constitute an audit of county expenditure, citizens often judge county performance based on whether public resources appear to benefit communities equitably and whether government programmes are delivering visible results.
Survey methodology
The CountyTrak Performance Index 2026 was conducted between January and May 2026, covering all 47 counties, 290 constituencies and 1,450 wards across the country.
A total of 36,200 respondents participated in the study through Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviews (CATI).
Each county was treated as an independent sampling unit, with sample sizes ranging between 600 and 2,000 respondents, depending on population size and ward distribution.
Sampling was guided by national census data and demographic characteristics such as age and gender, while data analysis was undertaken using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
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The findings underscore the growing importance of county governments in advancing access to quality ECDE, vocational education and learner support programmes. They also signal increasing public confidence in devolved education services while pointing to opportunities for counties to further strengthen investments that improve learning outcomes and educational access across the country.
By Hillary Muhalya
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