Nakuru County Senator Tabitha Karanja has continued her onslaught on Governor Susan Kihika following continued support from several politicians, including the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and County Deputy Governor David Kones, regarding her extended maternity leave.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, March 26, Karanja acknowledged Kihika's maternity leave but affirmed that the issues affecting Nakuru County extended beyond the alleged one-year maternity leave the county boss has been on.
"Our concern is not that our Governor, Susan Kihika, went to give birth. In fact, if that is true, we want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Nakuru people, to congratulate her, and we are very happy for her. We heard she had twins and would love to thank God on her behalf because that is a double blessing," she stated.
The senator, however, raised concerns that instead of taking the stipulated three-month leave, Governor Kihika has been on maternity leave for the last year and that she had not followed the correct procedure of informing the people of Nakuru of her pregnancy and impending leave prior to her departure.
According to Karanja, the law clearly states that the transfer of instruments of power should have been published in the Kenya Gazette and in a memo to notify residents of the change in leadership.
"In short, the county government is at a standstill as we speak. Our other major concern is that there were serious issues left behind, including, among others, the reopening of the War Memorial Hospital, which the court ordered to be reopened last year, yet up to now, it has not been opened," Karanja stated.
She further highlighted other major projects that had reportedly been abandoned due to Kihika's absence, including hospitals, ECDE learning centres, feeding programmes, and stadiums.
Pending bills and the failure to reach the intended target of Ksh10.9 billion in own revenue collection were other matters Senator Karanja raised concerns about.
Ultimately, she urged Members of the Nakuru County Assembly (MCAs) to "do the necessary," reiterating her calls for the impeachment of the embattled governor. She argued that this could deter the planned protests by disgruntled Nakuru residents, whose 14-day notice lapsed on Thursday.
On February 18, she urged Governor Kihika to resign or face an impeachment motion in the county assembly or a vote of no confidence in the Senate.
After a Nakuru resident petitioned President Donald Trump to deport Kihika on Tuesday, female politicians drawn from KEWOPA came out to defend the governor, stating that she was a subject of political bullying based on her gender.
On Wednesday, her deputy, David Kones, debunked reports that the county was suffering a leadership vacuum, stating Governor Kihika had mandated him to run the county in her absence and that proper communication on this had been made.
