Residents of Nakuru County have filed a petition before the county assembly, demanding an immediate investigation into the whereabouts of Governor Susan Kihika.
The residents, in the petition submitted on Thursday afternoon, gave the county assembly two weeks to establish the reason for Kihika's prolonged absence from office.
In the application signed by over 2,000 Nakuru residents, the locals also demanded an audit of all foreign travel by Nakuru County officials.
Additionally, the residents called on the county assembly to present a progress report on the investigations conducted into the disappearance of fisherman Brian Odhiambo, who reportedly went missing on January 18.
While addressing the press moments after submitting their petition, the locals accused the county chief of improper leadership adding that the in-house wrangles between the County Secretary and the Deputy Governor hindered development.
“The governor should choose between running her law firm in Texas, the United States and governing this city. The time for politicking will come but as for now, we demand accountability and transparency,” said a resident.
“Recently, we saw wrangles between the county Secretary and the Deputy Governor on who is running the county of Nakuru because of lack of proper leadership,” the resident added.
The demand letter comes about two months after Kihika released a statement explaining that her absence was due to her being on maternity leave.
In the letter dated January 17, and signed by Nakuru County Chief of Staff Peter Ketyenya, the governor said she was compelled to address the matter after receiving numerous phone calls from concerned Kenyans.
“Following numerous calls that I have received regarding my absence, as the elected Governor of Nakuru County, I want to first of all assure the people of Nakuru that I am well and currently on maternity leave,” Kihika clarified.
To resolve the current leadership vacuum, Kihika announced that Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones would oversee the running of the county.
“While thanking the people of Nakuru for their concern, I wholeheartedly assure them that service delivery in our Great County is proceeding as envisaged under the able guidance of the team led by Deputy Governor David Kones,” Kihika noted.
“I have no doubts whatsoever in Kones leading them in my absence. I will be resuming official duties at the end of my leave in the next few weeks. God bless you all.”
