Kihika's absence splits MCAs as impeachment talks gain momentum

Nakuru based activist Evans Kimori accompanied by bunge la wananchi members address the media at Jeevanjee gardens in Nairobi on March 27,2025. [Benard Orwongo,Standard]

Calls to impeach Governor Susan Kihika due to her prolonged absence from office have sparked behind-the-scenes disputes among Members of the County Assembly.

The Standard has learned that a petition filed at the Assembly by Engineer Evans Kimori, a resident, has sharply divided assembly members.

Kimori filed a petition seeking full disclosure of Kihika’s whereabouts and urged the assembly to summon Kihika to explain her absence, among other demands.

Kimori's move was followed by another move by Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja, who urged the MCAs to impeach the governor.

Stanley Karanja, the Naivasha East MCA, confirmed that members are being lobbied to support or reject the impeachment motion, but no substantial discussions have taken place on the two issues.

“We are currently on recess. Some members have been talking, while others have been approached to support the motion, and another group is opposed to it,” he said.

Karanja noted that the governor's absence presented an opportunity for Deputy Governor David Kones to showcase his leadership skills.

“People should be concerned about the governor's absence, but they should also question whether her deputy is capable of running the county in her absence,” he posed.

Assembly Minority Leader Philip Wanjohi stated that it was premature for MCAs to discuss the governor’s impeachment.

“We are currently on recess, and no impeachment motion has been tabled before the assembly. The petition filed by the activist has yet to be officially presented to the house,” he said.

However, Deputy Governor David Kones has insisted that there is no leadership vacuum in the county, despite Kihika being absent for over five months.

For the second time in less than three days, Kones dismissed claims that Kihika’s extended absence has adversely affected service delivery.

He asserted that the governor had established clear, functional governance structures that operate efficiently even in her absence.

Kones affirmed that Kihika is legally entitled to take maternity leave and pointed out that she properly informed the public by circulating a letter announcing her handover of county management to him.

He stated, “The governor has the right to take maternity leave. She wrote a letter, which was shared across all social media platforms, indicating that she had transferred the management of county affairs to her deputy.”

He added, “I have conducted executive meetings and represented the governor at all the forums she was supposed to attend. There is no leadership vacuum in Nakuru.” Kones emphasized.