Senator Karanja Slams Governor Kihika’s Extended Maternity Leave as Governance Issue

The Susan Kihika‑led administration in Nakuru County is under intense legal and public scrutiny following a petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) that seeks to declare her unfit to hold the office of Governor. The petition, which could lead to a tribunal hearing, centres on allegations of misconduct including the forceful takeover of the War Memorial Hospital on January 23 2024 and alleged violations of public service and human rights provisions. A High Court ruling on July 2 accepted the case, dismissing Kihika’s attempt to have the hearing stayed.
The background to the petition involves a litany of concerns raised by the petitioners and civil society groups. Foremost among them is the hospital takeover, which the LSK alleges was conducted without due process and disrupted critical health‑service delivery. Moreover, the petition highlights what it calls a leadership vacuum in the county’s administrative machinery and accuses the governor of neglecting constitutional duties. The court’s refusal to halt the proceedings signals that the allegations will be fully aired in open hearings.
Reactions from stakeholders have been mixed. Supporters of Kihika argue the petition is politically motivated and a bid to destabilise the county leadership ahead of future elections. On the other hand, opposition figures and governance watchdogs see the petition as a crucial test of accountability and the boundaries of devolved executive power in Kenya. The unfolding process has already generated widespread public discourse about leadership standards among county governors.
Looking ahead, the legal trajectory of the petition will be closely watched. If the hearings proceed and the petitioners succeed, Kihika could face removal from office or other sanctions under Kenya’s devolved governance framework. The case could set a significant precedent for how governor‑level accountability is enforced in the country. For now, the county continues under her leadership, but with a cloud of legal contestation hovering over the office.