Residents in Kenya's Coast region will soon access a new digital platform that ranks the performance of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and tracks public petitions online.
Introducing the County Assembly Performance Index
On July 30, 2026, the Human Rights Agenda (HURIA), in partnership with the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), unveiled the County Assembly Performance Index (CAPI). This innovative tool evaluates and publicly ranks the six Coast County Assemblies based on their legislative and oversight roles.
HURIA Executive Director Yusuf Lule Mwatsefu emphasized that the index aims to improve governance and service delivery rather than to criticize. "With the 2027 General Election approaching, this scorecard will provide voters with concrete data to assess their MCAs' effectiveness," he stated during a consultative meeting in Mombasa.
Digitisation Enhances Petition Management
A key feature of the initiative is the digitisation of petition management through the County Assembly Petition Information (CAPI) system. This platform will allow residents to monitor the status of their petitions from submission to resolution, addressing issues of lost or ignored public complaints.
Collaborative Efforts to Strengthen Devolution
HURIA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CAF and the six Coast county assemblies to foster ongoing collaboration on governance, research, and public participation. CAF CEO Lonah Losem expressed readiness for the region to pilot the programme, while CAF Chairperson Seth Mwatela described the index as a "game changer" for accountability in county governments.
Context Within National Political Performance
Earlier in 2026, the CountyTrak Performance Index by InfoTrak highlighted top-performing MPs and senators nationally, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who received an 80% approval rating. The new Coast-focused index complements these efforts by providing localized, evidence-based performance data to residents.
