A nationwide survey has ranked Kenya Ports Authority head William Ruto and Kenya Medical Supply Authority director Waqo Erjesa among the top-performing leaders of government agencies.
The five-month research spanned all 290 constituencies and engaged 5,000 registered voters aged 18 and older through face-to-face household interviews.
Microtrack Africa’s study asked Kenyans to evaluate parastatal performance using a scale ranging from “very poor” to “excellent.”
Leading the ranking as the top parastatal executive is Henry Rithaa, CEO of the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).
Rithaa received recognition for promoting youth empowerment via the NYOTA initiative, which offers training, mentorship, and startup funding to young entrepreneurs across the country’s wards.
NYOTA has distributed Ksh 25,000 to more than 100,000 young people nationwide, enabling them to launch their businesses, with plans to provide an additional Ksh 25,000 to support these enterprises.
In second place was Mohammed Shurie, head of the Water Resources Authority (WRA), acknowledged for digital transformation through a customer portal and mobile application that streamlined permit applications and payment procedures.
Completing the top three was Bruno Linyiru, CEO of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), who was commended for enhancing regulatory oversight and safeguarding farmers, particularly by targeting unlicensed macadamia traders and processors.
Rose Mkalama, of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), also made the list for extending electricity access to rural areas and promoting renewable energy, breaking into a field traditionally dominated by men.
The survey also highlighted Phillip Mainga from Kenya Railways for managing significant railway expansion projects focused on enhancing regional connectivity and trade.
Ranked sixth was KEMSA CEO Waqo Ejersa, recognized for implementing reforms that enhanced the reliability and efficiency of medical supply distribution after previous challenges at the organization.
Captain William Ruto, Managing Director of KPA, was commended for modernizing port operations, increasing cargo handling capacity, and reducing vessel turnaround times, establishing Kenya as a regional maritime center.
Norah Buyaki, Director General of the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC), was noted for supporting small businesses with customized financing options and advancing industrial park development throughout various counties.
The ranking also featured Charles Muasya of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) for leading major irrigation initiatives like the Galana-Kulalu Dam project aimed at improving food security.
Concluding the list was Silas Kinoti, Director General of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), credited with enhancing urban transportation through expanded feeder road networks in urban centers.
The survey examined the leaders’ mandates and identified those delivering outstanding results.
The research employed a random, multi-stage stratified sampling method proportional to voter population size (PPS). Interviews were conducted in English and Swahili, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent at a 98 percent confidence level.