Nakuru residents push for suspension of County Government

Nakuru based activist Eng.Evans Kimori accompanied by bunge la wananchi members address the media at Jeevanjee gardens in Nairobi on March 27,2025. [Benard Orwongo,Standard] A section of Nakuru residents have begun collecting signatures to have President William Ruto suspend the County Government of Nakuru. Led by Engineer Evans Kimori, the residents claim that the county executive has failed in its mandate to serve the residents of Nakuru. Kimori also accused the County Assembly of refusing to carry out its oversight role and also colluding with the county executive to allegedly continue mismanaging the county. The residents want the county government suspended and another election to be conducted after 90 days lapse. They say the current state of governance in Nakuru is a disturbing picture of neglect, collusion, and failed oversight. "It is time to hold Nakuru county leadership to account because the residents deserve responsive, transparent, and accountable leadership," said Kimori in a statement. The residents protest the continued closure of War Memorial Hospital and collapse of other hospitals, forcing residents to seek healthcare at congested public hospitals. Kimori also pointed out stalled and uncompleted projects, despite allocations in billions of shillings. Further, he mentioned the mysterious disappearances of the body of a seven-month-old baby, Mercy Chepng'eno, and fisherman Brian Odhiambo. "Odhiambo, allegedly abducted by officers from Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) has been missing since January 18," he stated. Despite all the disappearances, Kimori said that the county government led by Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has remained quiet. Further, the residents, through Kimori, have complained of Kihika's absence since November 2024 and alleged unsatisfying explanations. He pointed out that despite Deputy Governor David Kones coming out and stating that there is no vacuum, there were concerns that he cannot make certain decisions on behalf of Kihika. "There was a brewing dispute between Kones and the County Secretary Samuel Mwaura. As much as they try to show us who is in charge, what is on the ground is different from their statements," said Kimori. He claimed that the assembly had been silent on a petition he, together with some 2,000 residents presented, urging the MCAs to summon Kihika to explain her prolonged absence. "On its side, instead of exercising oversight, our elected MCAs have chosen to join hands with the executive, abandoning their duty to hold the county government accountable," he protested. They demand answers, accountability, and a return to people-centered leadership. Kimori has written to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) requesting guidance on signature collections. The letter dated April 7, 2025, has been received and stamped by the IEBC offices in Nakuru. "We write to formally request guidance from the IEBC on the process of collecting signatures in line with Article 192(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, which provides for the suspension of a county government under exceptional circumstances," read the letter. The letter requests clarification on the number of registered voters in Nakuru County and the threshold of signatures required for the suspension of the county government. Further, they have sought guidance on the legal and procedural requirements to ensure compliance with the law during the signature collection process. Kimori said they aim to collect over 100,000 signatures within the next two months, even as they wait for guidance from IEBC.

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Nakuru residents push for suspension of County Government

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