The Mo Ibrahim Foundation released the report on October 31, 2026. Kenya scored above the continental average of 50.1 and Eastern Africa’s regional average of 47.5.
Kenya’s overall score rose by 0.9 points between 2016 and 2025. Its strongest improvement came in Foundations for Economic Opportunity, which gained 4.1 points to reach 65.3. Participation, Rights, and Inclusion scored 62.4, while Human Development reached 62.3.
Security and Rule of Law was the country’s biggest concern. Its score fell by 4.2 points to 54, making it the only one of the index’s four main categories to decline.
The assessment also identified weaknesses in public procurement. Kenya scored 29.7 in that area after losing 36.4 points over the review period. Other indicators that declined included public perceptions of the rule of law, which fell to 37.3; media freedom, at 56.6; and public perceptions of anti-corruption efforts, at 27.9.
Kenya improved in several other areas, including protection against discrimination, internet and energy access, and education completion.
Seychelles led the continental rankings, followed by Mauritius, Cabo Verde, Botswana, and South Africa. Namibia, Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana joined Kenya in the top 10.
The index assesses governance in 54 African countries using 96 indicators drawn from 51 independent data sources. It covers four areas: Security and Rule of Law; Participation, Rights and Inclusion; Foundations for Economic Opportunity; and Human Development.
South Sudan ranked last at 54th, behind Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, the Central African Republic, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Libya, and Guinea-Bissau.
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