Kenya moves up the Ibrahim Index of African Governance

Kenya’s governance rating has improved in the last one year, according to a new report.

The Ibrahim Index of African Governance report released on Monday in London showed an overall improvement in all indicators on the scale and ranks Kenya in position 17. The country ranked 21 last year.

However, the report says Kenya still needs to improve on security. Fifty two countries in Africa were examined.

Mauritius is Africa’s best governed country with a score of 81.7 per cent overall, compared to Kenya’s 51.3 per cent.

Cape Verde, with a score of 76.6 per cent, was ranked second best followed by Botswana.

In East Africa, Kenya was third after Rwanda, which was ranked the 11th best governed and Tanzania, which was number 15.

“It is important to note that governance appears to have continued to grow although development is a little bit less. But we can do better,” said Mr Mo Ibrahim, the chair of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

Mr Ibrahim, who addressed a live-streamed press conference, also noted that Zimbabwe, previously ranked among the worst performing countries, had recorded improvement.

In the four categories evaluated, Kenya scored 51.3 per cent in the safety and the rule of law category, 59.3 per cent on the participation and human rights cluster, 54 per cent in the sustainable economic opportunity and 64.6 per cent on human development.

“The 2014 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, launched today, shows that between 2009 and 2013, overall governance improved on the African continent,” Mr Ibrahim said.

“Africa is progressing but the story is complex and doesn’t fit the stereotypes. Even if the overall picture looks good, we must all remain vigilant and not get complacent.”

CHANGED COURSE

The report indicated that countries in the bottom half of the rankings registered the largest improvements over the past five years.

Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger and Zimbabwe were recorded to have changed course since 2009 from negative trajectories to become the biggest improvers this year.

“The 2014 results show that high ranking countries cannot assume that future achievements will necessarily follow previous accomplishments,” said Jay Naidoo, a board member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

“Generally, let us make sure that the Africa rising narrative that everyone is talking about truly benefits all African people.”

Last year Kenya, compared closely with failed states such as Somalia. But this year, the country improved despite a series of terrorist attacks including the Westgate mall siege.

Additional reporting by Mutiga Murithi