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ADVERTSiaya has never lacked pedigree.
It is the county that has produced some of Kenya’s most influential political leaders, scholars, professionals and public servants. For decades, its name has been synonymous with leadership, intellect and national influence.
But history alone cannot build an economy.
The latest Infotrak survey ranking the country’s best-performing governors should serve as a wake-up call. Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata topped the list with an 80 per cent approval rating, followed by Trans Nzoia’s George Natembeya at 78 per cent, while Kiambu’s Kimani Wamatangi completed the top three. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also secured a place among the country’s highest-rated governors.
What stands out is not merely who topped the rankings, but why. According to Infotrak, Kenyans primarily judge governors on whether they deliver campaign promises, demonstrate transparency and accountability, initiate meaningful development projects, prudently manage public resources and remain accessible to the people.
ADVERTThese are the standards by which counties are increasingly being measured.
The uncomfortable question is: Where does Siaya stand?
Siaya is blessed with fertile agricultural land, the vast blue economy of Lake Victoria, a highly educated population, rich tourism potential and an enviable history of producing national leaders. Agriculture contributes billions of shillings to the county’s economy every year, and successive administrations have promoted investment through initiatives such as the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO).
Yet potential alone is not development.
Despite its enormous resources, thousands of young people continue to leave Siaya every year in search of jobs elsewhere. Much of the county’s agricultural produce still leaves in raw form instead of being processed locally. Large-scale manufacturing remains limited, while many flagship projects have struggled to deliver the transformative impact residents expected.
Meanwhile, other counties are aggressively competing for investors, industrial parks, value addition, technology, tourism and employment opportunities. They are steadily redefining what successful devolution looks like.
This is not about personalities or political rivalries. Nor is it an attempt to diminish the efforts made by the current county administration. It is about confronting an uncomfortable reality: counties are now competing on measurable outcomes, not historical prestige.
If Murang’a is being recognized for health, housing, water management and planning; Trans Nzoia for agriculture; and Kiambu for education and energy, then Siaya must ask itself a difficult but necessary question: What national benchmark is the county setting today?
Political prominence has never been Siaya’s problem.
Economic competitiveness is.
The county cannot continue exporting its brightest minds while importing opportunities created elsewhere. It cannot celebrate producing leaders while failing to produce enough industries, jobs and wealth for its own people.
The next chapter of Siaya’s story must be written not in political rallies but in factories, agro-processing plants, technology hubs, modern markets, thriving fishing enterprises, tourism investments and prosperous farms.
Leadership should not only be remembered for speeches and influence in Nairobi. It should be measured by the number of jobs created, businesses established, roads completed, investors attracted, farmers empowered and young people choosing to build their future at home.
Siaya still possesses every ingredient needed to become one of Kenya’s leading counties.
What it cannot afford is complacency.
History gave Siaya a head start. The future will depend on performance.
The time has come for the county to stop living on yesterday’s glory and start competing for tomorrow’s prosperity.
Photo Courtesy: Bahati Muyale (AI generated)
Lawrence Jeffrey
4th August, 2026
Siaya
