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Kimani Ngunjiri has change of heart, tells off Kihika critics

Lands Chief Administrative Secretary Kimani Ngunjiri.

Photo credit: COURTESY

By  JOSEPH OPENDA

Correspondent

Mtaa Wangu

In the wake of rising criticism against the Nakuru county government’s leadership, governor Susan Kihika has received rare support from her political arch rival Kimani Ngunjiri.

In an unexpected turn of events, the former Bahati MP who has been a serious critic of Ms Kihika became the new defender of the governor who is facing immense pressure from a section of the residents over her extended absence on maternity leave.

Mr Ngunjiri told off critics of the governor to be patient with her as she works on delivering on her agendas for the people.

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Mr Kimani appeared to agree with the sentiments of the deputy governor David Kones who termed the critics as mere attention seekers.

He urged the residents to go slow on the governor and stop dirty politics which he said does not help in driving the country forward.

“Let us stop the fights and bad politics that have put us in a bad position as a county. Let us be patient and allow those in power to serve. We shall examine their performance at the end of the term,” said Mr Ngunjiri.

Addressing the issues of governor Kihika’s absence, Mr Ngunjiri who termed the governor as his daughter urged the residents to allow her and support her and the person she has left in-charge.

He wondered why people are having a problem with the governor who is on maternity leave.

“Am hearing people talking a lot about the governor, is it wrong for her (my daughter) to go for maternity? Her leave is provided for in law and we need to pray for her as she does her work,” he said.

The former legislator indicated that service delivery at the county has not been affected in any way by the governor’s absence indicating that County Secretary Samuel Mwaura is among those helping her in her absence.

Mr Ngunjiri and governor Kihika have endured a frosty relationship for a long time in the political arena.

The rivalry started in 2013 when the two contested for Bahati constituency parliamentary seat which Mr Ngunjiri won.

Later in August 2022 general elections the rivalry was re-ignited when Mr Ngunjiri accused Ms Kihika of orchestrating his loss to the current MP Mrembo Irene Njoki.

However, the governor has found herself battling criticism and public petitions emanating from her absence.

Whether this new status quo will remain or not is now a matter of Wait and see.