County Leadership Praised As Nakuru Ranks Top In Digitization Nationally

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Nakuru leadership has been rated as reform-driven and technology-focused after the county government was ranked second nationally in automation of citizen services and employment creation.

The ranking was released yesterday by the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat under the State Department for Devolution. It assessed counties on digitisation, revenue management and job creation initiatives.

Murang’a County ranked first nationally in the latest scoring, followed by Nakuru in second place, while Kiambu secured third position in the overall performance assessment.

County officials said the recognition reflects growing use of digital platforms to deliver services that once required manual processing and long lines for residents.

County Minister for Education ICT, e-Government and Public Communication, Zipporah Ngugi who represented Governor Susan Kihika at the awards, said automation has also strengthened internal county systems, including revenue collection.

“Digitising services has made processes faster and more transparent for our residents. We are focused on making it easier for people to interact with government and access what they need,” Zipporah said.

Nakuru has introduced several systems that allow citizens to pay fees and apply for permits online, officials said. The county also upgraded its recruitment and planning approval processes.

**County Minister for ICT and e-Government Zipporah Ngugi with Director for ICT Leonard Kirui at the award ceremony.**

Zipporah said the award recognised the dedication and sustained efforts of the ICT team, as well as the wider staff, in advancing and implementing the county’s digital transformation agenda.

She added that the recognition could boost investor confidence in the region’s governance and service delivery, and attract greater private sector participation in infrastructure, innovation and broader local development initiatives.

The assessment examined measurable job creation programmes, the reliability and efficiency of digital revenue platforms, and the extent to which counties have adopted data-driven decision-making processes.

Vision 2030’s ranking underscores the broader national push to raise living standards and improve government efficiency through technology. The programme aims to make Kenya a middle-income economy by 2030.

State Department for Devolution Principal Secretary, Michael Lenasalon urged counties to treat the ranking as a performance tool, identify gaps objectively, and implement corrective measures based on data and measurable indicators.

The study identified gaps including absence of a legal framework for automation in counties, high digital system costs, reliance on manual cash processes, and dependence on national government and development partners.

The study used exploratory methods, reviewing secondary data from county websites, Controller of Budget reports and the Council of Governors’ Maarifa Centre, with triangulated findings to ensure reliability.