Three months, not five, Senator Karanja faults Kihika’s extended maternity leave
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Senator Tabitha Karanja during the 2022 campaign period.
In the run-up to the 2022 General Election, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche were inseparable.
At political rallies, they affectionately called each other sisters, fuelling speculation that they were related.
As key figures in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), they also campaigned as a formidable duo reinforcing each other’s messages at every opportunity.
Their alliance paid off when Kihika was elected governor and Karanja senator. At the time they presented a united front, committed to transforming Nakuru.
However, more than two years into their terms their once-solid partnership has disintegrated into open political warfare. The former allies are now political bitter rivals each seeking to outmanoeuvre the other.
Their fallout has escalated political tensions in Nakuru exposing the deep divisions in the county’s leadership.
While political analysts see the rift as a power struggle, Ms Karanja insists she is simply fulfilling her oversight role.
“The 2027 election is too far away. As elected leaders, we must serve the people of Nakuru. My focus is oversight and accountability,” Ms Karanja said.
She accuses Ms Kihika’s administration of failing to deliver on critical campaign promises.
“For two years, Nakuru has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The governor has lost touch with the people,” she claimed in an interview with Nation.Africa.
Ms Karanja cites stalled development projects, poor service delivery and a lack of transparency in county finances.
“The Nakuru War Memorial Hospital remains closed despite a court ruling ordering its reopening. Several hospitals, Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers and stadiums are stalled. Residents are not receiving the services they were promised,” she said.
Her criticism intensified last year when she condemned the county government for shutting down War Memorial Hospital due to a land ownership dispute.
She also accuses Ms Kihika’s administration of financial mismanagement.
“Pending bills continue to pile up, crippling businesses and service delivery. The county is failing to meet its revenue collection targets despite having the potential to generate Shh10.9 billion annually. Poor budget implementation has left Nakuru residents frustrated,” she added.
The latest contentious issues is Ms Kihika’s prolonged absence from office.
She has been in the US for more than four months on maternity leave, a matter that has fueled heated debate.
“Our concern is not that Governor Kihika travelled to give birth as we are happy for her. The issue is that she has effectively been on leave for months,” the legislator argued.
Employment Act
She cited Section 29 of the Employment Act, which allows three months of maternity leave with prior notification to the employer.
“In this case, the people of Nakuru are her true employers. Yet, there is no record of any such notification,” she claimed.
She also accused the governor of failing to follow legal procedures for delegating power sayin when a governor is absent for an extended period, the law requires a formal transfer of instruments of power. This must be published in the Kenya Gazette and residents must be informed about who is in charge.
“None of these legal requirements have been met,” she added.
But as public pressure continues to mounted, Deputy Governor David Kones on Tuesday addressed the issue asserting that he is in charge of running the county during Governor Kihika’s absence.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Mr Kones stated that Ms Kihika proceeded on four months of maternity leave in mid-December and is expected to return at the end of April.
“There is no leadership vacuum. I have been handling county affairs and everything is running smoothly. Those spreading propaganda are seeking relevance but they will not succeed,” Mr Kones said.
He lashed out at critics, including Ms Karanja, calling them “naysayers seeking cheap publicity”.
“My boss entrusted me with leadership because she knows I can manage in her absence. People should not expect me to shout that I am the county boss, I am still the Deputy Governorand our Governor is known. I fully support her,” he added.
Nakuru County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange backed Mr Kones maintaining that the law allows the DG to oversee county affairs in the governor’s absence.
“The law does not require a formal transfer of power. The deputy governor is mandated to deputise the governor. The only powers he cannot exercise are nominating, appointing or dismissing officials,” Mr Nyamwange explained.
According to Section 32 of the County Governments Act, 2012, a deputy governor shall deputise the governor in executing their functions.
“The county government is running smoothly, with the deputy governor firmly in charge, assisted by the county executive,” said Mr Nyamwange emphasised.
Mr Kones dismissed Ms Karanja’s claims stating that Governor Kihika remains committed to completing projects inherited from the Lee Kinyanjui administration while launching new initiatives.
“No project in the county has stalled. Several hospitals, ECDE centers, and stadiums have been completed, while others are ongoing. For instance, the historic Afraha Stadium is being renovated. I have been inspecting Level Four hospitals in Subukia and Njoro,” he said.
He also refuted allegations of missed revenue targets saying Nakuru County has consistently been ranked among the most improved in revenue collection for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years.
Despite the explanations, doubts persist about how effectively the county is running in Kihika’s absence.
Power struggle
Political analysts argue that the battle between Kihika and Karanja is not just about governance but a struggle for power ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political commentator Joseph Opondo viewesd the fallout as a classic case of shifting alliances.
“In politics there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. They were initially united by common goals, but now their priorities have changed,” Mr Opondo noted.
Although Karanja has not publicly declared her interest in the gubernatorial race, speculation is rife that she is positioning herself for the seat.
Governor Kihika has not taken these rumors lightly.
“If you want a seat, be honest about it. She told a lot of lies. Or maybe she was under the influence of something foreign, which she sells,” Ms Kihika remarked last year in a meeting with traders in Nakuru’s central business district.
During the same meeting, she suggested that some of her former allies were now working to undermine her leadership.