Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has defended her extended absence from public duties, terming the criticism against her as political noise. Speaking during a media interview at Kogi’s Corner on Thursday, Kihika clarified that she was on maternity leave in the United States and had officially communicated her whereabouts before departing.
“Everyone knew where I was. I wrote official letters indicating my whereabouts. I did not hide anything. I believe in transparency because I was elected by the people,” she said.
Her remarks come amid growing criticism from a section of leaders and residents over her prolonged stay abroad, with concerns raised about the potential impact on county leadership. However, Kihika dismissed the accusations, insisting that operations in the county remained uninterrupted during her absence.
“Even when I left, county operations were still ongoing. Nothing was paralysed. I did not take the roads or boreholes with me. Everything was going on well,” she added, stressing that her deputy and administrative team ensured service delivery continued.
Kihika justified her absence as a necessary personal responsibility, stating that women should not be shamed for taking time off to bear children. “As a woman, it is our role to give birth, and I don’t see why that should be politicised,” she said.
Addressing service delivery concerns, the governor acknowledged that the county was grappling with several issues, including stalled infrastructure projects and funding challenges in the health sector. She attributed some of the setbacks to the recent floods that rendered roads impassable and pledged that her administration was working on interventions to address the problems.
Her return to the country, confirmed earlier by her deputy and senior aides, puts to rest weeks of speculation surrounding her whereabouts and leadership in Nakuru County. As she resumes her duties, all eyes will be on how she handles the pending projects and political undercurrents within the devolved unit.
Governor Kihika’s firm response signals her readiness to confront critics head-on while reassuring residents of her commitment to delivering on her mandate.
