Kenya has dropped further down the global governance ladder after being ranked 94th out of 120 nations in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). The report, which evaluates how governments deliver for their citizens, highlighted weak performance in leadership, strong institutions, and marketplace support, putting Kenya behind its East African neighbors.
Where Did Kenya Perform Worst?
Kenya’s lowest score came in leadership and foresight, where it ranked 111th. This category evaluates ethical leadership, innovation, adaptability, and long-term planning. The country also struggled in strong institutions, ranking 102nd, which assesses bureaucratic quality, inter-agency coordination, and government data management. Kenya placed 101st in the marketplace pillar, a measure of infrastructure, property rights, investment climate, and regulatory stability.
On outcomes that directly affect citizens, such as education, healthcare, safety, income equality, and environmental protection, the country ranked 95th. Legal and regulatory governance was only slightly better at 96th. Kenya’s most encouraging performance was in financial stewardship, ranking 85th, showing it manages public spending and debt relatively better than many African peers.
Did Tanzania and Rwanda Overtake Kenya?
Yes. Tanzania climbed to position 78, and Rwanda advanced to 63, both improving their governance standings. Mauritius remained Africa’s highest-ranked nation at 51, while Singapore held the global top spot, extending its lead thanks to strong digital governance and infrastructure. Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden rounded out the world’s top five.
How Did Kenya Rank in the 2025 World Happiness Report?
The country also declined in the 2025 World Happiness Report, falling to 115th out of 147 nations. This marks Kenya’s second straight year of decline after years of steady progress. Despite the drop, Kenya was still ranked the happiest nation in East Africa, ahead of Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the DRC.
Globally, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland topped the happiness rankings, while Afghanistan was ranked the least happy. The United States slipped to 24th, with researchers linking Nordic countries’ consistent success to equality, trust, and reliable public services.
By Lucky Anyanje