Nakuru Senator Slams Governor Kihika Over ‘1-Year Maternity Leave’, Vows To Impeach Her
Nakuru County Senator Tabitha Karanja has continued to attack Governor Susan Kihika, with the support of other lawmakers.
The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and County Deputy Governor David Kones have both expressed concerns over her extended maternity leave.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, March 26, Karanja acknowledged Kihika’s maternity leave.
However, she confirmed that the challenges afflicting Nakuru County went beyond the county boss’s claimed one-year maternity leave.
“Our concern is not that our Governor, Susan Kihika, went to give birth. In fact, if that is true, we want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Nakuru people, to congratulate her, and we are very happy for her,” she stated.
“We heard she had twins and would love to thank God on her behalf because that is a double blessing.”
Nakuru elected a Governor and Deputy, not a County Secretary! As the Governor takes maternity leave abroad, an appointee runs the county. Where is the Deputy Governor? Nakuru deserves real leadership, not bureaucrats and backdoor management! pic.twitter.com/ezi6pOLwth
— Sen. Tabitha Karanja, MGH (@TabithaKaranja) February 19, 2025
The senator, on the other hand, expressed worry that Governor Kihika has been on maternity leave for the past year, rather than taking the required three months off.
Karanja maintains that Kihika did not follow the proper procedure for telling the people of Nakuru about her pregnancy and impending absence prior to her departure.
According to Karanja, the law requires that the transfer of instruments of power be published in the Kenya Gazette and accompanied by a message informing inhabitants of the change in leadership.
“In short, the county government is at a standstill as we speak,” Karanja stated.
“Our other major concern is that there were serious issues left behind, including, among others, the reopening of the War Memorial Hospital, which the court ordered to be reopened last year, yet up to now, it has not been opened.”
She also mentioned other big initiatives that had supposedly been abandoned owing to Kihika’s absence, such as hospitals, ECDE learning centers, food programs, and stadiums.
Senator Karanja also expressed worry over pending bills and the failure to meet the targeted revenue collection target of Ksh10.9 billion.
Finally, she asked Nakuru County Assembly (MCA) members to “do the necessary,” reaffirming her call for the governor’s impeachment.
She reasoned that this would dissuade planned rallies by dissatisfied Nakuru residents, whose 14-day notice expired on Thursday.
On February 18, she encouraged Governor Kihika to resign or face impeachment by the county assembly or a vote of no confidence in the Senate.
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On Tuesday, a Nakuru resident petitioned President Donald Trump to deport Kihika. Female lawmakers from KEWOPA came out to protect the governor.
KEWOPA alleged that Kihika was subjected to political abuse because of her gender.
There is no vacuum in Nakuru County, I’m working on behalf of Governor Kihika, Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones says
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) March 26, 2025
Video: Julius Chepkwony pic.twitter.com/1wdkKd9b0G
On Wednesday, her deputy, David Kones, debunked reports that the county was suffering a leadership vacuum.
Kones confirmed that Governor Kihika had mandated him to run the county in her absence and that proper communication on this had been made.
Nakuru Senator Slams Governor Kihika Over ‘1-Year Maternity Leave’, Vows To Impeach Her
