Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has not attended any public events or held a press conference for nearly four months raising questions over her whereabouts.
The last time the governor was seen in public was on November 18, 2024, during the graduation of more than 4000 students from different Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVETs) in Nakuru.
The most important event that followed was the flagging off of a medical consignment on December 20, 2024.
However, this was done by her deputy (DG) David Kipkemoi Kones
Since then, Kihika has kept out of the media although his social media platforms have remained active.
She opted to run the county’s affairs in absentia until today.
Senator Slams Governor for Travelling Abroad
Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche has been leading the county in the calls to know Kihika’s whereabouts.
Speaking on February 14 at the floor of the Senate, Keroche said the governor has informed her chief of staff to write a memo informing Nakuru county residents that she’s gone to the US to give birth.
Tabitha criticized the governor stating that pregnant women in Nakuru could not access medical services and gave birth on the road while she went abroad for the same.
“You are going abroad as women in the county do not have health facilities. A woman from Kuresoi South gave birth by the road. Women had to offer their clothes to cover her,” Tabitha said.
Calls for Impeachment
In a subsequent press conference, Tabitha slammed the governor for handing over the operations of the county to, Dr. Samuel Mwangi Mwaura, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service for Nakuru.
Tabitha claimed the county was being mismanaged and the Constitution disobeyed by allowing Mwaura to represent the governor.
She explained that that the DG should takeover in the absence of Kihika since Mwaura was not elected by the people of Nakuru.
“The voice we hear in Nakuru is the county secretary called Mwaura. We did not elect the county secretary; we chose the governor and her deputy. Where are they?” Tabitha asked.
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“The worst scenario is that the deputy governor should speak on behalf of the governor. Where has our governor gone? We have not seen her since last year, where is she?”
Tabitha said Kihika’s government has failed completely leading to suffering among Nakuru residents.
She stated that none of the other 46 governors can for even 7 days including when they fly out of the county.
The senator called for Kihika’s resignation, warning that she would push for an impeachment motion in the Nakuru County Assembly or initiate a vote of no confidence in the Senate.
“Kihika should resign, or the MCAs should impeach her or I’m going to take a vote of no confidence against her at the Senate,” she said.
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Kihika Says She is on Maternity Leave
Kihika was forced to address her absence after numerous calls from Kenyans who wanted to know why she has not been making public appearances.
In a statement on January 17, she assured the people of Nakuru that she was well and on maternity leave.
“Following numerous calls that I have received regarding my absence, as an elected Governor of Nakuru County, I want to assure the people that I am well and currently on maternity leave,” she said.
Further, Kihika assured Nakuru residents that county operations would continue seamlessly under the leadership of DG Kones.
Kihiki announced that she will be resuming duties in the next few weeks and thanked Kenyans for the concern.
“I have no doubts whatsoever in Kones leading them in my absence. I will be resuming official duties at the end of my leave in the next few weeks. God bless you all,” she said.
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