A new survey by DARUBINI POLL has ranked Chege Waithera as the best-performing Member of County Assembly in Nairobi, placing renewed focus on grassroots development, legislative influence and ward-based service delivery ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The third-term South B MCA scored a 75 percent approval rating from residents, according to findings based on voter interviews, project assessments and analysis of Nairobi County Assembly legislative records between 2023 and 2026.
The report places Waithera ahead of Hamisi Maleya, who garnered a 71 percent rating, as well as Wilfred Odalo, who also emerged among the city’s top-ranked ward representatives.
According to the poll, Waithera’s ranking was heavily influenced by her involvement in infrastructure projects, affordable housing advocacy and sustained campaigns to protect public land earmarked for development projects in South B.
One of the flagship initiatives associated with her leadership is the ongoing Sh350 million South B Market project, expected to accommodate nearly 2,700 traders once completed. The project followed a prolonged dispute over ownership of the public land where the market is being constructed.
Reports indicate that Waithera petitioned the Nairobi County Assembly Lands Committee over alleged attempts to grab the land before the county reclaimed it for public use.
Residents interviewed during the survey said the market project is expected to transform the local economy by relocating traders from roadsides into a modern trading space equipped with improved facilities.
The MCA has also remained vocal on affordable housing initiatives targeting South B and Mukuru residents. In recent months, she participated in public sensitisation forums helping residents register for units under the government-backed Affordable Housing Programme.
However, the housing programme has also generated controversy within sections of South B, especially after residents protested against planned evictions linked to redevelopment plans in Marigoini. Some residents accused local leaders and government officials of failing to provide adequate transparency during relocation discussions.
Despite the criticism, the DARUBINI POLL survey found that many South B residents still associate Waithera with visible development projects, youth empowerment initiatives and efforts to improve road infrastructure within the ward.
The report further ranked Peter Imwatok among the most influential MCAs in Nairobi due to his legislative contribution and visibility within assembly debates.
Imwatok has frequently led oversight motions within the Nairobi County Assembly, including investigations into county revenue collection systems and financial accountability at City Hall.
He has also emerged as one of the key political figures defending cooperation between the Nairobi County Government and the national administration under Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Elsewhere, Absalom Odhiambo received strong ratings for ward transformation projects in Korogocho, particularly road rehabilitation, drainage improvement and expansion of street lighting in areas previously associated with insecurity.
Residents interviewed during the survey said the projects had improved mobility, security and business activity in sections of the informal settlement that had long suffered neglect.
The poll also recognised Anthony Kiragu and Davidson Ngibuini for their performance in assembly debates and implementation of local development programmes.
According to DARUBINI POLL, Nairobi voters are increasingly shifting attention from political rhetoric to visible service delivery, local infrastructure and responsiveness of elected leaders to community concerns.
The findings suggest that MCAs with tangible ward-based projects, active legislative records and strong grassroots presence are likely to gain a major advantage as political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue taking shape.
