Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has called for the resignation of Governor Susan Kihika, citing absentee leadership and failure to effectively run the county government.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 19, Karanja questioned Kihika’s prolonged absence, stating that Nakuru residents were suffering due to a lack of leadership.
“We have been hearing that the County is being run by a County Secretary but we did not elect him, we elected the Governor and Deputy Governor. Where is our governor? We have not seen her since late last year, and we are suffering because the leadership of Susan Kihika has failed,” Karanja said.
Karanja further compared Nakuru to other counties, emphasizing that governors in Kenya are consistently present to oversee operations or, in their absence, are represented by their deputies.
“If you go to the other 46 counties in Kenya, you will not hear that the governor is not available even for a week. And in case they are not available, they are represented by their deputies, not county secretaries. The county secretary has nothing to lose; we did not elect him—he was appointed by the governor,” she stated.
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In a strong rebuke of Kihika’s administration, Karanja called for her resignation and urged Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to initiate impeachment proceedings.
“Kihika should resign. If she is not resigning, the MCAs should impeach her, and if they don’t impeach her, I’m going to take a vote of no confidence on the floor of the Senate,” she warned.
This comes a month after Kihika addressed growing public concerns about her whereabouts following her absence from the public.
In a statement on Friday, January 17, Kihika reassured residents that she is in good health, noting that she is currently on maternity leave.
"Following numerous calls that I have received regarding my absence, as the elected Governor of Nakuru County, I want to, first of all, assure the people of Nakuru that I am well and currently on maternity leave," Kihika said in the statement signed by Chief of Staff Peter Ketyenye.
Kihika expressed her gratitude to Nakuru residents for their concern and emphasized her confidence in the leadership of Deputy Governor David Kones during the period that she will be away.
"While thanking the people of Nakuru for their concern, I wholeheartedly assure them that service delivery in our Great County is proceeding as envisaged under the able guidance of the team led by the Deputy Governor, H.E. David Kones. I have no doubts whatsoever in H.E. Kones leading them in my absence," she added.
