• “You may get angry and say the Governor has done nothing, but everybody knows we have accomplished a lot. What kind of angel do you expect to bring in?” she asked.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has defended her record and pushed back against critics who continue to call for leadership changes, insisting that constant turnover undermines progress.

Kihika spoke on March 26, 2026, during the issuance of cheques to cooperative societies under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme (NAVCDP) at Nakuru Agricultural Training Centre (ATC)Soilo.

“You may get angry and say the Governor has done nothing, but everybody knows we have accomplished a lot. What kind of angel do you expect to bring in?” she asked.

She argued that when new leaders take office, it takes them about three years to understand the work. By the time they settle, only one year remains before another election, and the cycle of change begins again.

According to her, this pattern prevents Nakuru from succeeding, pushing the county “ten steps forward and twenty back.”

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Kihika acknowledged delays and shortcomings, particularly in road projects, but emphasized her administration’s commitment.

“Even if I have delayed a little, even if some roads are still in poor condition, we are really trying hard,” she said.

Nakuru’s Leadership Journey Under Devolution

Since the inception of devolution in 2013, Nakuru has had three governors:

Kinuthia Mbugua (2013–2017)

Nakuru's first Governor Kinuthia Mbugua. (Photo source: Facebook)

He is a former Administration Police Commandant. He oversaw the initial setting up of devolved structures before losing in the Jubilee Party primaries. He later served as State House Comptroller.

Lee Kinyanjui (2017–2022)

Former Nakuru Governor and the current Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Investments, Trade, and Industry Lee Kinyanjui. (Photo source: X)

Lee is a former Nakuru Town (later split into Nakuru Town East and Nakuru Town West) Member of Parliament (MP) and National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) chairperson. He is credited with elevating Nakuru to city status in 2021 and launching the Boresha Barabara rural road initiative. He currently serves as Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry.

Susan Kihika (2022–Present)

Kihika is a lawyer by profession and daughter of veteran politician Kihika Kimani, she became the first female Speaker of the Nakuru County Assembly (2013–2017), then Senator (2017–2022), before being elected governor on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket. She is Nakuru’s first female governor.

Constitutional Context

Under the 2010 Constitution, governors are elected for five‑year terms, directly chosen by voters during the general election held every five years in August.

A governor may serve a maximum of two terms. If a deputy governor assumes office mid‑term, the Constitution deems it a full term if more than two and a half years remain before the next election.

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