Nakuru war memorial saga now pits Kihika and Gikaria against Tabitha Keroche
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika and Nakuru East MP David Gikaria during a rally at Kwa Murogi on February 15, 2024.
The Nakuru War Memorial hospital saga seems to be fast shaping the political re- alignments in Nakuru county, as leaders are forced take positions based on their stand on the issue.
Leaders who have voiced their stand regarding the dispute have been defined politically based on their decision to support or oppose the attempted takeover of the hospital by the county administration.
Those in support of the takeover are deemed to be allied to Governor Susan Kihika while those opposed are alleged to belong to a rival camp.
What has however been conspicuous is the souring relationship between governor Kihika and senator Tabitha Karanja alias Keroche, who have consistently been taking on each other for consecutive months over the dispute.
The two county leaders who rode through the August 9,2022 elections as sisters have recently not been seeing eye to eye, with each ready to end the political career of the other.
Governor Susan Kihika and senator Tabitha Karanja during the campaigns in 2022.
It began with Ms Karanja calling for Ms Kihika's impeachment over what she claimed was inhumane conduct and disregard of court orders in relation to the hospital’s forcible takeover.
Ms Karanja while condemning the night raid of the War Memorial hospital by the county askaris in a bid to forcibly take control of the running of the hospital, called upon the members of the county assembly to draft an impeachment motion against the governor.
But in what appears like retaliatory move, governor Kihika has moved to publicly declare Ms Karanja unfit for the position.
She has gone ahead to declare support for Nakuru town East MP David Gikaria on his ambition to replace Ms Karanja in 2027.
Speaking at London ward on Thursday, Ms Kihika accused Ms Karanja of being incompetent for the position, after claiming that she does not understand her mandate.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika shares a light moment with Nakuru East MP David Gikaria during the launch of KISIP program in London estate on February 15, 2024.
According to governor Kihika, her first term in office is starved of resources in terms of allocation since the senator has abdicated her duties and instead focused on fighting her on social media and other platforms.
"The problem that I have this term is that I have a senator who does not understand her roles. she thinks her work is to post on social media instead of lobbying for more funds to the county so if you see me walking with Mr Gikaria, know that I want you to support his bid for senate in 2027," said Ms Kihika.
The governor reiterated that Mr Gikaria together with Mr Arama who have both supported her efforts to take over the hospital are her number one support base and knows well what matters for the common mwananchi.
The governor vowed to campaign for Mr Gikaria, to ensure that he takes over as the senator.