Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has strongly criticized County Senator Tabitha Karanja Keroche, accusing her of organizing demonstrations to paint the county government in a bad light.
According to Kihika, the recent protests in Olenguruone over poor road conditions and inadequate maternal health services were not genuine but planned by the senator to damage the county’s reputation.
The governor’s statement was issued by County Secretary Dr. Samwel Mwaura, who defended the administration against the accusations.
Mwaura explained that the delay in road construction was not due to negligence by the county government but was caused by the Kenya Tea Development Agency’s delay in releasing tea cess funds.
He stated that Governor Kihika had worked to ensure and agreed to pay Ksh.66.8 million in four installments, and so far, half of that amount had been received. The funds are meant to improve roads in Tinet, Amalo, and Kiptagich, which residents have complained about.
He assured the public that the work would continue as more funds became available.
Senator Keroche also raised concerns about poor maternal healthcare in Nakuru County, but her claims were met with resistance from some county leaders.
Dr. Alex Langat, the Mosop Ward MCA, and Nominated MCA Leah Serem criticized her statements, saying she was only interested in attacking the governor instead of working to improve services.
They pointed out that instead of helping the county government achieve development goals, the senator had chosen to be a constant critic while neglecting her own responsibilities as a senator.
The issue of healthcare in Nakuru County has been a growing concern among residents, with many complaining about the poor state of medical services. Patients have reported a lack of essential drugs in hospitals and delays in receiving medical attention.
There have also been concerns about the governor’s decision to seek maternity services abroad, which critics argue was a sign that she lacked confidence in her own county’s health system. Senator Keroche has used this to question Kihika’s commitment to improving maternal health for ordinary citizens, especially in rural areas where facilities are inadequate.
Governor Kihika’s administration continues to face criticism over the state of public services, particularly in health and infrastructure. Many residents feel that the county has not done enough to ensure hospitals are well-equipped and roads are properly maintained.
The ongoing disagreement between the governor and the senator has further exposed the leadership struggles in the county, with each side blaming the other for the challenges facing the people.
While the county government insists that progress is being made, the frustrations of the residents indicate that more needs to be done to improve services and restore public confidence.
