By Sandra Blessing
In Kenya, and specifically Migori, a story is told from one generation to another about former MP John Okwanyo.
Okwanyo allegedly dozed off during a lengthy parliamentary session, only to wake up suddenly and, in a spate of confusion and loyalty, ask loudly: “What about Migori?”
Though no official record exists in the Hansard to verify this utterance, the episode has become part of Kenyan political folklore, repeated over the years in Migori.
Murang’a County emerged as Kenya’s best-performing county in the latest CountyTrak Performance Index 2026 released by Infotrak Research and Consulting, outperforming all other devolved units in the country.
The survey released on Tuesday, August 4, ranked Murang’a first nationally with an overall score of 54 per cent, followed by Kiambu at 52 per cent and Trans Nzoia at 50 per cent.
Homa Bay emerged as the best-performing county in the Nyanza region after tying for fourth nationally with Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisii and Uasin Gishu at 49 per cent.
The CountyTrak Performance Index measures residents’ satisfaction with county governments across devolved functions, including agriculture, energy, environment, housing, trade and tourism, culture and sports, social services, and planning.
And yesterday, the grandson of Sinakuru ma Dogman, alias Oyundi, aka Governor Ochilo Ayacko, found himself being asked the same question after a poll star released the 11th CountyTrak Performance Index.
Governor Ochilo’s main rival, Mark Nyamita, asked Angela Ambitho, the founder and CEO of Infotrak Research & Consulting: “Eeeeh, InfoTrak! Enyewe, bado mapambano.”
The poll was celebrating excellence in county leadership and service delivery.
“Congratulations to all the governors and counties recognised at the 11th CountyTrak Performance Index. Your achievements reflect the impact of responsive leadership, innovation and a commitment to serving citizens,” read the statement.
Nyamita wondered where Migori was in all the categories – from Education, Agriculture, Culture, Environment, Education, Roads and Infrastructure, and Water.
“Oyundi has been at the forefront of advocating for culture and educating the Luo community, and that is the same area that it also failed to appear in the top five. Ochilo bye,” he said.
Ambitho said the recognition inspired continued progress and raised the bar for service delivery in all the 47 counties.
“May these recognitions inspire continued progress and raise the bar for service delivery across all 47 counties. Here’s to evidence-driven governance and even greater milestones ahead,” she said.
Ambitho said the performance index brought data-driven conversation.
“The 11th CountyTrak Performance Index has brought together governors, policymakers, development partners and key stakeholders for a data-driven conversation on the state of county performance in Kenya. These engagements are more than an event; they are an opportunity to reflect on progress, identify areas for improvement and strengthen service delivery through credible research and evidence,” she said.
The banter
Ochilo and Nyamita have been engaged in dramatic banter that has changed the political dispensation from violence-prone to humour and digital contest.
Currently, Ochilo is under pressure from Nyamita for the seat in the 2027 general election.
