Kericho Deputy Governor Susan Kikwai has died at the Siloam Hospital in Kericho where she had been receiving treatment.
Kikwai is reported to have passed on Saturday, March 20 after battling Covid-19 in hospital for two weeks.
"She was discharged on Thursday but on Friday night, her condition deteriorated and she was rushed back to the hospital. She succumbed on Saturday at around 9:30 a.m," a family member stated.
Kericho Governor Paul Kiprono Chepkwony eulogised his deputy as a great leader and a hardworking partner in his administration.
"I feel saddened by the loss of my deputy governor. I send my deepest condolences to the family. In consultation with the family, we will continually update you on the funeral arrangements" he stated.
President Uhuru Kenyatta also sent a message of condolence to the family, the Governor and residents of Kericho County following the passing on of Deputy Governor Susan Kikwai.
In his message of comfort, the President described the departed County leader as a devoted public servant who was deeply committed to the progress and wellbeing of the Kericho community in particular, and all Kenyans in general.
The Head of State recalled the period when Kikwai served as the Managing Director of Kenya Investments Authority (KENVEST) saying she highly promoted Kenya as an attractive destination for foreign and local investment.
“Susan was a great public servant. While working for the National Government, she was instrumental in attracting various domestic, regional and international investments," the President eulogised the second term Deputy Governor.
The Deputy Governor was serving the second and final term having been first elected in the year 2013 together with Governor Chepkwony.
She was the daughter of former Moi-era Internal Security Assistant Minister William Kikwai, who passed on in November last year.
Susan served as the Managing Director of Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) under the Ministry of Finance from 2005 to 2012.
She had a Masters of Business Administration in International Management from Morgan State University in Maryland. Her first degree is in Bachelor of Science in Economics and her second degree is in Bachelor of Arts French from Salve Regina University in Rhode Island.
In 2007, Ms. Kikwai was awarded The Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW) by the former president of Kenya H.E. Mwai Kibaki for her outstanding performance in investment promotion. In the year 2008, she was overwhelmingly elected President of the African Investment Promotion Agency Network ( AfrIPAnet) by forty-five African Nations.
While working for the national government, she was instrumental in attracting various domestic, regional, and international investments. In 2003, Kikwai received Awards for reinforcement of investment promotion at the regional level (Kenya and Rwanda) and the Department of the Year Award among other Awards and Honors.
As a very passionate person on entrepreneurship and investments, the fallen Deputy Governor was instrumental in the organizing of the first-ever County Investment Conference (KECICO).
She has also served in several boards including vision 2030 Delivery Board, Export Promotion Council, and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
As an astute leader, Kikwai was very successful in putting together a very effective forum to address the business promotion of many of Kenya’s existing and promising industries.
