Activist seeks deportation of Governor Kihika from US to resume duty

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika addresses a past event. [File, Standard]

An activist in Nakuru County has appealed to US President Donald Trump to intervene and have Governor Susan Kihika return to Kenya to resume duty at the Nakuru county government.

Eng Evans Kimori in a letter to President Trump through the US Embassy in Kenya wants Governor Kihika deported after five months absence from office.

“Request for the deportation of Governor Susan Kihika to resume leadership duties in Nakuru County, Kenya,” reads the subject of the letter.

“On behalf of the residents of Nakuru, I respectfully request your intervention in facilitating (deporting) her return to Kenya so that she can resume her duties. The people of Nakuru deserve accountable leadership, and her continued stay in the US undermines the trust and democratic mandate placed in her by the electorate,” reads the letter in part.

Kimori in the letter copied to President William Ruto says that the governor has been on maternity leave in the US for an extended period.

“While maternity leave is recognised under Kenyan law for up to 90 days, she has been absent for nearly 5 months, creating a leadership vacuum in Nakuru County,” reads the letter in part.

The activist said that the governor’s decision to seek medical services abroad comes after her administration ordered the closure of War Memorial Hospital.

He argued that thousands of Nakuru residents especially those with chronic illness have been left without essential healthcare while Kihika enjoys good medical care in the US.

“As an elected governor, she has a constitutional duty to ensure that public services, including healthcare, remain accessible to the people. However, her prolonged absence while critical services in Nakuru deteriorate amounts to neglect of her responsibilities despite her receiving huge salaries,” he said.

Following public pressure on her whereabouts, the governor came out on January 17, 2025, to reveal that she was on  maternity leave.

During her absence, she has been using social media to post updates on various county projects and programmes.

Last week, Kimori and more than 2,000 residents submitted a petition to the Nakuru county assembly requesting a detailed explanation of Kihika's whereabouts, who has been in charge of the county in her absence, and the benefits of her numerous trips abroad.

The assembly has 14 days from March 17, 2025 to respond to the petition.