Governor Kihika Targets Gachagua, Matiang’i in Bold Nakuru Come-Back Move

In a striking political manoeuvre, Susan Kihika, the governor of Nakuru County, has publicly taken aim at senior national figures—including Rigathi Gachagua and Fred Matiang’i—as she declares her big return to the county’s political frontline. Addressing a major rally in Nakuru on 2 May 2025, she announced her renewed involvement in county affairs and national politics, pledging strong alignment with President William Ruto’s second-term ambitions while signalling readiness to challenge what she called undermining forces locally.
Governor Kihika’s remarks come amid longstanding tensions with Gachagua, the country’s Deputy President, and Matiang’i, former Interior Cabinet Secretary. She accused them of attempting to influence Nakuru’s political terrain in ways that sideline county priorities. During her address, she emphasised her commitment to delivering infrastructure projects, supporting youth employment and rooting out political interference in service delivery. Speaking to a packed audience, she declared: I am back with full force in Nakuru, and I will not allow external interests to derail our agenda.
The response from political observers and local residents has been mixed. Supporters of the governor welcomed her re-emergence, interpreting it as a sign that she is ready to reclaim control over county affairs and resist interference from national heavyweights. Critics, however, see the declaration as a high-stakes gambit that could deepen intra-party divisions ahead of the 2027 elections. Some analysts caution that the move might spark a hard-line backlash from Gachagua and Matiang’i’s camps, potentially disrupting stability in the region’s political ecosystem.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on how Governor Kihika translates her rhetoric into tangible action. Key indicators will include whether she secures fresh development deals for Nakuru, forges firmer alignment with the national administration, and successfully manages the fallout from her confrontation with powerful figures. If she delivers on her promises, her comeback may set a precedent for assertive county leadership in the face of national political pressure. Conversely, if her initiatives stall or provoke retaliation, the governor may find her authority challenged and her agenda hampered just as momentum builds ahead of the next general election.