Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. Photo Image by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
A stormy public debate has erupted in Makueni County and beyond after Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr dismissed the latest Mizani Africa rankings of top-performing governors, alleging that he was asked to pay KSh300,000 to be ranked favourably.
“I was asked for KSh300,000 and I declined. I have the messages,” Mutula stated, pouring cold water on the credibility of the 2025 Mizani Africa Performance Index, which ranked governors across the country based on leadership, service delivery, and governance indicators.
His remarks immediately ignited sharp reactions on social media, dividing residents and opinion leaders between those backing his claims and others urging him to focus on improving service delivery.
Some residents openly challenged the Governor to substantiate his allegations. Kisinga, a vocal commentator, demanded evidence, saying the county could not simply dismiss poor rankings. “Makueni County, we are way behind. The polls are factual. How can all polls fail to rank Makueni somewhere?” he posed.
Others rallied behind Mutula, praising his refusal to allegedly compromise integrity. Wamaluu defended the Governor, urging him not to be shaken by what he termed “fake polls,” and instead invest in youth programmes such as Ujuzi Teketeke. “You don’t need to give the media money to rank you high. As the people of Makueni, we have confidence in you,” he said.
A section of residents, however, warned against complacency. Kioko Mukunuu argued that sycophancy could hurt the Governor politically, cautioning that re-election would not be automatic unless service delivery improved. “His performance is below par with PR recipes,” he noted.
The controversy also drew comparisons with other counties. Chrispus Muthiani questioned the top ranking of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, asking what tangible development justified her position, while others pointed to Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s second-place ranking as evidence of inconsistencies in the index.
Notably, Governor Wavinya Ndeti stood out as the only top-ranked governor to publicly acknowledge the results. In a Facebook post, she thanked Mizani Africa and dedicated the recognition to the people of Machakos, calling it a reflection of collective effort and trust.
Her appreciation, however, was met with criticism from some residents of Machakos. Maeke Musyimi questioned how the county could rank second amid claims of unpaid salaries, lack of medical supplies, poor roads, and stalled services. “Either development has lost meaning, or Mizani is fake, or money was used,” he remarked.
In its report, Mizani Africa said that the rankings were based on a rigorous assessment of governors’ constitutional and administrative roles, including budget execution, service delivery, accountability, and citizen perceptions. The index ranked Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) first at 77.6 per cent, followed by Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) at 75.2 per cent, with Kisumu’s Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o placing third.
As the debate rages, Mutula’s claims have reignited broader questions about the credibility of public opinion polls, the role of money in perception management, and whether rankings truly reflect realities on the ground. For many Kenyans, the controversy underscores a deeper issue: the growing gap between statistical assessments and lived experiences of service delivery under devolution.
