Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillah has criticized a recent survey by Leeway Africa Research Agency that ranked Kenya’s top-performing Members of Parliament (MPs), expressing disappointment over the exclusion of Coast region MPs from the top 20 list.
Leaway’s research which was based on public perception and development record of the leaders was released on July 1, 2025 and top spots were largely dorminated by MPs from Nairobi with Embakasi East’s Babu Owino securing the top spot, while Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi, Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), among others ranking highly.
Speaking during the Breakfast 47 show on Radio 47, Senator Miraj urged Coast residents not to lose confidence in their leaders, stressing that different agencies use varying criteria in their assessments.
“There are our brothers from the Coast who have emerged number one in the whole country in terms of performance. I personally was ranked number one in performance among nominated senators,” Miraj said.
Senator Miraj further argued that certain MPs, due to their positions in influential parliamentary committees, have access to additional resources and opportunities that give them an advantage in implementing development projects.
She also emphasized the need for transparency in such surveys, noting that the matter had also been raised in the Senate.
“We discussed this issue in the Senate led by the Majority Leader, that when these organizations conduct their surveys, they must have clear parameters,” she stated.
The senator’s remarks come at a time a number of coast human rights groups like Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI), HAKI Africa among others have raised concerns about development projects implemented by local leaders and their impact on the local community.
