By Robert Mutasi 
Uasin Gishu County has ranked eighth nationally among the most conducive places to do business, according to the 2026 County Development Index, placing the Eldoret-based economy behind several counties that performed better in the latest assessment.
The county scored 0.064 on the index, according to findings published by The Star on Thursday. Kakamega ranked seventh with 0.069, Bungoma eighth with 0.066, while Uasin Gishu followed in ninth place based on the scores listed in the report.
Kiambu and Nakuru jointly topped the ranking with scores of 0.181, followed by Mombasa at 0.166. Meru ranked fourth with 0.120, while Machakos came fifth at 0.108. Kisumu placed sixth with 0.082.
The results put Uasin Gishu among the leading counties in the country, although the gap between its score and those of the top-ranked counties points to room for improvement in the business environment.
Eldoret, the county headquarters, serves as a commercial centre for the North Rift, supporting agricultural trade, transport, education, health services, retail businesses and other enterprises. Its position along major transport routes also connects producers and traders to markets in other parts of Kenya.
The ranking comes as the county seeks to attract investment, expand employment opportunities and strengthen its role as a regional economic hub.