In their ongoing war of words and political differences, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja called out Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika for leaving Nakuru County leaderless for almost a year. She admonished the Governor for failing to hand over instruments of power to allow for continuity of governance in the County before she left for United States of America to give birth.
“Our concern is not that Her Excellency Governor Susan Kihika traveled to give birth. The real issue is that she has effectively been on maternity leave for almost an entire year. According to the Kenyan Employment Act, Section 29 of 2007, female employees are entitled to three months of maternity leave, and they are required to notify their employer in advance. In this case, the people of Nakuru, are her true employers. However, there is no record of any such notification,” began Senator Karanja.
She went on, “Additionally, when a governor is absent for an extended period, the law requires a formal transfer of instruments of power to ensure continuity in governance. This transfer must be officially published in the Kenya Gazette, and a memo should be issued to inform the people of Nakuru about who is overseeing county affairs. None of these legal requirements have been met, leaving the county in a state of uncertainty and stagnation. “
At this point, the Senator lamented that Nakuru County had been receiving bad local and international media attention, “further tarnishing the county’s reputation.”
“While Nakuru remains leaderless, critical issues affecting residents continue to be ignored. The War Memorial Hospital, which the courts ruled should be reopened last year, remains closed to this day. Several county projects, including hospitals, ECDE learning centers, and Stadiums, have been abandoned. Pending bills continue to pile up, crippling businesses and service delivery. Furthermore, the county is failing to meet its own-source revenue collection targets, which have the potential to generate Ksh 10.9 billion annually. Poor budget implementation has further contributed to stalled development, leaving Nakuru residents frustrated and hopeless. The people of Nakuru deserve better. We cannot afford to remain silent while our county is left without direction, leadership, or accountability. It is time to demand answers and action,” added Senator Karanja.
Nakuru County continues to be a political battlefield as the once-close allies, Governor Susan Kihika and Senator Tabitha Karanja, continue to be fierce rivals. The two leaders, who campaigned together under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in 2022, are now at odds over governance issues, particularly concerning the management of county affairs. Their public fallout has been fueled by disputes over the running of Nakuru War Memorial Hospital and the treatment of healthcare workers, among other pressing concerns.
At the center of the controversy is Governor Kihika’s prolonged maternity leave. Having given birth to twins in the United States, she has been away from office for nearly five months, far exceeding Kenya’s legally mandated 90-day maternity leave for public servants. This absence has sparked concerns about a leadership vacuum in the county, with critics questioning whether Nakuru residents are getting the governance they deserve.
Senator Karanja has been one of the most vocal critics of Kihika’s extended leave, arguing that it undermines effective county leadership. She has even urged Nakuru County Assembly members to initiate impeachment proceedings, claiming that Kihika’s absence disrupts service delivery. Her stance ignited heated debates, with supporters backing her concerns, while others accuse her of targeting the governor unfairly.
In defense of Governor Kihika, a section of female parliamentarians recently came out strongly, condemning the criticism as gender-biased and insensitive. They argue that maternity leave is a fundamental right and that the attacks on Kihika highlight outdated societal attitudes toward women in leadership. According to them, no male leader would face such scrutiny for taking time off due to health reasons.
Meanwhile, Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones sought to allay fears of a leadership crisis, assuring residents that county operations are running smoothly. He maintained that Kihika’s temporary absence did not paralyzed governance, and insisted that service delivery remains on track.
