Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika is now caught up in a serious legal battle after a petition was filed in court questioning whether she is even allowed to hold public office in Kenya. The case has been brought forward by Peter Kuria Mwaniki, who claims that Kihika holds both Kenyan and American citizenship, which he says goes against Article 78(2) of the Kenyan Constitution.
This law clearly states that a person who holds dual citizenship is not allowed to hold a state office unless they renounce the other nationality.
Mwaniki argues that Kihika once worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Texas, a job that is strictly given only to citizens of the United States. He says this proves she holds American citizenship. More concerning is his claim that there is no official record showing that Kihika gave up her U.S. citizenship before running in the 2022 General Election, meaning she could have violated the law by even being on the ballot.
He now wants the High Court to declare her unfit to hold any public office and to nullify her election as governor of Nakuru. He is also asking the court to declare the seat vacant and to have her Deputy, David Kones, sworn in as governor. The petition points a finger at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, accusing it of failing to do its job properly by not thoroughly checking Kihika’s background.
Mwaniki says this failure amounts to a serious breach of public trust and reflects the rot in institutions that are supposed to protect the integrity of elections. If the IEBC had done its job correctly, he argues, Kihika would never have been cleared to run.
He goes on to bring up Chapter Six of the Constitution, which talks about the importance of leadership and integrity. Mwaniki insists that Kihika has not been honest with the public about her dual citizenship and says her silence raises serious questions.
To make things worse, the governor has been away from the county for several months, reportedly staying in the U.S. during a time when Nakuru residents are facing tough issues. Her long absence has not gone unnoticed. Protests have already taken place, with angry residents demanding answers and accountability.
This legal challenge adds to the growing pressure on Kihika, whose leadership has already come under fire. Many people in Nakuru have been complaining about how the county’s healthcare system is collapsing due to negligence.
With this new controversy, her troubles only seem to be getting worse, and the court’s decision could have a big impact not just on her political career but also on the future leadership of Nakuru County.
