A moment of unintended comedy became the highlight of Madaraka Day celebrations in Nakuru County when Governor Susan Kihika slipped up during her speech, accidentally referencing the political backyard of a rival camp.
While updating the crowd on development projects, Kihika mistakenly said, “Construction of two lecture rooms at Wamunyoro… Wanyororo,” momentarily confusing the local Wanyororo Training Centre with “Wamunyoro,” a village in Nyeri County now closely associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The crowd burst into laughter as the governor caught herself mid-sentence, chuckled, and corrected the error: “Wanyororo. At Wanyororo Training Centre, including fencing.” Yet, the audience wasn’t ready to let the slip pass unnoticed.
Sensing the rising amusement, Kihika lightened the moment with humour. “Hapana, niko kwa Ruto siku zote,” she reassured in Kiswahili “No, I’m with Ruto, always” prompting even more laughter. She then quipped, “By the way, my writer of this speech is fired,” before swiftly resuming her remarks.
Though the gaffe seemed harmless at face value, its deeper implications weren’t lost on the politically attuned. Wamunyoro is not just any village it is the rural home and political base of Rigathi Gachagua, the once-powerful Deputy President who has since fallen out with President William Ruto. Following his impeachment, Gachagua has turned Wamunyoro into a hub of opposition activity, meeting political allies as he eyes the 2027 elections.
That Kihika, a staunch Ruto ally, accidentally uttered Gachagua’s stronghold while discussing her county’s achievements added an ironic twist to the festivities. The moment quickly became a talking point, both for the humour it delivered and the political undertone it carried.
Still, the crowd seemed to appreciate the governor’s grace and good humour. In an atmosphere where political tensions often run high, Kihika’s candid recovery served as a reminder that even the most calculated speeches can take a detour and sometimes, that detour can offer a much-needed laugh.
