Report Card: Governor Susan Kihika highlights her three year achievements in office

Governor Susan Kihika used her 2025 State of the County Address to outline progress across public finance, health, agriculture, education, and infrastructure, while underscoring the need for unity and continued reform.

She described the annual address as an opportunity to review achievements, challenges, and shared priorities for a “thriving, inclusive, and resilient county.”

While addressing the Members of the County Assembly, she highlighted improvements in financial management, including a nearly complete County Treasury Building, strengthened audit oversight, and clearance of Sh140 million in pending bills.

“Own-source revenue rose by 11 percent from Sh3.29 billion to Sh3.64 billion. This was supported by expanded automation of revenue streams and asset register updates. The new policies in transport, asset management, and tariffs will reinforce ongoing fiscal discipline,” she says.

In trade and enterprise, she highlighted the County Aggregation and Industrial Park, which is 45 percent complete, and the construction and rehabilitation of dozens of markets.

“The Wezesha Fund and other facilities have issued loans to groups, cooperatives, and boda boda operators, while the Naivasha Special Economic Zone continues to attract new companies,” she notes.

Kihika reaffirmed health as a core budget priority, noting that 40 percent of county resources continue to support the sector. Sixteen Primary Care Networks are operational, facilities have received new equipment, and several hospitals and maternity units have been constructed or revived. Recruitment, promotions, and digitisation of records are ongoing.

In agriculture, the county continues to invest in major value chains, including distribution of millions of pyrethrum seedlings, 394,000 grafted avocado seedlings, and fertilizer support to thousands of farmers.

“Dairy production reached 318 million litres in 2024, supported by cooling plants, AI services, and vaccination campaigns. Fisheries were strengthened through restocking and youth enterprise support,” she notes.

On education, the Governor cited Sh952 million in bursaries since 2022, construction of 140 ECDE classrooms, expansion of the school feeding programme, and growth in Vocational Training Centre enrolment from 4,419 to 6,350 trainees. More than 30 VTC projects have been completed, with new equipment, workshops, and instructor recruitment.

Under the Imarisha Barabara Programme, the county has graded 513 km of roads, graveled 383 km, and built bridges and streetlights. Water access increased from 59.2 to 62.33 percent following 132 water projects and 17,070 new household connections. Sewer upgrades, sanitation projects, and environmental restoration are ongoing.

Youth and social development initiatives include upgrading sports facilities, constructing new stadia, expanding social halls, and implementing disability inclusion and GBV response programmes.

Kihika closed by urging collaboration across political and community lines, saying the county remains “resilient and boldly forward-looking” as it advances inclusive development.